Short-term rental rules · Tampa, Florida
Short-term rentals in Tampa, explained properly.
The City of Tampa does not currently run its own short-term rental registration program, so operators mainly need a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, state and county tax registration, and compliance with zoning. That may change: Hillsborough County approved a vacation rental registration and inspection ordinance on September 2, 2026 ($200 a year, effective January 1, 2027) for unincorporated areas, and Tampa City Council has asked its lawyers how the city could opt in. Guests pay about 12% in combined taxes.
Draft. These rules were compiled from the sources listed below — official where available, with fields that rely on secondary sources marked for review — and have not yet been checked line by line. Confirm with the city before making decisions.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Florida DBPR vacation rental license required | Hosts need a vacation rental license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the state registration number must appear in advertising[1]Confirming |
| No city registration program yet | Tampa does not have its own registration program. In August 2026 the council asked city lawyers how Tampa could opt into Hillsborough County's registration and inspection ordinance, citing roughly 9,000 active short-term rentals in the city; city attorneys noted the county draft appeared to target unincorporated areas[2]Confirming |
| County registry starts January 1, 2027 (unincorporated areas) | Hillsborough County approved vacation rental rules on September 2, 2026: annual registration with a $200 fee, scheduled inspections with a $50 no-show fee, and a designated contact person who can respond to problems. The rules take effect January 1, 2027 in unincorporated Hillsborough County, with an option for Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City to adopt them[3] |
| Combined tax about 12% | A secondary source puts the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Tax at 6% on stays of six months or less, on top of 6% Florida sales tax; any local discretionary surtax is additional[1]Confirming |
| Check zoning before buying | Short-term rentals still have to comply with local zoning; a secondary source advises confirming eligibility with land development staff before operating[1]Confirming |
| Last researched | September 25, 2026 |
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Detailed rules
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Changes
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High-priority watch: Tampa City Council agendas for a decision on opting into the county registry, and Hillsborough County's implementation ahead of January 1, 2027. Florida's pre-2011 preemption rule limits what new local ordinances can do about stay length and outright bans, but registration and inspection programs are allowed.
Annual $200 registration, inspections and a designated contact for vacation rentals in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Cities including Tampa may opt in.
City Council asked legal staff for a written report on how Tampa could opt into the county's registration and inspection ordinance.
Sources
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This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.