Airbnb Laws and Regulations Fort Walton Beach, FL

How does Fort Walton Beach, FL define a short-term (Airbnb) rental (STR)?

• Any overnight rental that is occupied for less than six months. 
• A collectively or individually owned dwelling used as a transient public lodging establishment. 

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

Can investors own more than one vacation rental property in Fort Walton Beach, FL? 

Yes, investors can own more than one vacation rental property in Fort Walton Beach, FL. There are no specific restrictions on the number of vacation rental properties an investor can own in the area.

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

Does Fort Walton Beach, FL have any zoning restrictions for STRs?

Yes, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, specifically on Okaloosa Island, there are zoning restrictions for Short-Term (Airbnb) Rentals (STRs). The Okaloosa Island Covenants and Restrictions prohibit residences within the B-1 Private Residential Area from being “operated as a group or rented to transients.” These restrictions predate the 2011 legislative preemption and remain in effect, thus not allowing STRs in that area.

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

In Fort Walton Beach, FL can an investor own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity? 

Yes, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, an investor can own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity. Investors are allowed to establish a business entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation, to own and manage their Airbnb properties. 

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

In Fort Walton Beach, FL, can investors register accessory dwelling units (ADU), duplexes, and multifamily homes as Vacation Rentals?

Yes, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, investors can register accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, and multifamily homes as vacation rentals. As long as these properties meet the criteria of being individually or collectively owned single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family houses or dwelling units, they can be considered as transient public lodging establishments or units in condominiums, cooperatives, or timeshare plans, which fall under the definition of a vacation rental in Florida.

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

What is Fort Walton Beach, FL requirement for obtaining a Vacation Rental License?

To obtain a Vacation Rental License in Fort Walton Beach, FL, the following requirements must be met:

• Create a DBPR Online account.
• Apply for a license and pay the license fee.
• Schedule and pass the licensing inspection.
• Obtain the required vacation rental licensing from the state for a lodging establishment via myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/.
• Familiarize yourself with the Okaloosa Island Protective Covenants and Restrictions, which can be found at myokaloosa.com/gm/home, especially for properties in Zone B-1.
• Pay the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax, which applies to rentals of six months or less. More information can be obtained from the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller at TouristTax@OkaloosaClerk.com or by calling 850-651-7200 ext. 3492. Register and remit the tax at okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com.
• Consider any homestead exemption regulations to avoid violations. Contact the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s Office at (850) 651-7240 or visit okaloosapa.com/real-property for more information.

Source: Florida DBPR Hotels and Restaurant Division & Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

What are the costs associated with a Vacation Rental License in Fort Walton Beach, FL?

The costs associated with Vacation Rental Licenses in Fort Walton Beach, FL vary depending on the type of license and number of rental units. It is recommended to refer to the following link for lodging-related fees.

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

Does Fort Walton Beach, FL have Vacation Rental occupancy limits?

Yes,  the maximum occupancy for vacation rentals in residential multi-family zone districts is two people per bedroom, with an additional two people allowed per property. This means that the total occupancy limit is twelve people per property, excluding children under the age of six.

Source: Okaloosa County Short Term Rentals Info

Does Fort Walton Beach, FL require an inspection for investors to obtain an STR license? What are the physical and structural requirements for a vacation rental?

Yes, investors are required to have the property inspected during the STR license application process. 

Source: City of Fort Walton Beach Building Division

Does Fort Walton Beach, FL have any responsible agent requirements?

Yes, Fort Walton Beach, FL has responsible agent requirements for vacation rentals. A licensed agent for vacation rentals refers to an operator of a management company who has been authorized or “licensed” by the property or unit owner to rent out the property on a transient basis. The licensing agreement can be in the form of a rental agreement or contract between the agent and the owner. According to Florida law, the Division is responsible for issuing group licenses and collective licenses for vacation rentals to licensed agents.

Source: Florida DBPR Hotels and Restaurant Division

Does Fort Walton Beach, FL have specific insurance requirements for a Vacation Rental?

Yes, Fort Walton Beach, FL does have specific insurance requirements for Vacation Rentals. Property owners are typically required to have a specialized form of insurance called Landlord Protection Insurance or Vacation Rental Insurance. This type of insurance provides coverage specific to the risks associated with vacation rental properties, including liability coverage for guests and property damage protection.

Source: Florida DBPR Hotels and Restaurant Division

What are the duration and renewal terms of a Fort Walton Beach, FL Vacation Rental license?

In Fort Walton Beach, FL, the duration of a Vacation Rental license is typically one year. The license needs to be renewed annually to remain valid and in compliance with local regulations

Source: Okaloosa County Short-Term Rentals Info

In Fort Walton Beach, FL, do Airbnb and VRBO remit taxes on the host’s behalf? Are there any taxes that the host must track and pay directly to Fort Walton Beach, FL?

No, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO do not remit taxes on behalf of the host. Hosts are personally responsible for collecting and remitting the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) directly to the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. The platforms do not handle tax remittances on behalf of hosts. Hosts must file monthly or quarterly returns, and penalties apply for late filing. Effective January 1, 2022, the Florida Department of Revenue will no longer collect taxes for Okaloosa County.

Source: Okaloosa County Short-Term Rentals Info

Who should I contact if I have questions regarding Fort Walton Beach, FL Vacation Rentals?

City of Fort Walton Beach, FL: cityclerk@fwb.org & (850) 833-9500, option 7 then option 2
Okaloosa County: 850-689-5050

Are there any new laws and regulations that the city is requiring?

No, when Get Chalet was gathering this information, there were no new laws or regulations that Fort Walton Beach, FL was requiring.