Current language within the Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Certification Requirements ordinance requires a sign to be posted upon certification LDC 1.13.16.G.3. Said sign is required to be no larger than eighteen (18) by twelve (12) inches, which equals a total space of 216 square inches. Whereas current language requires a maximum size it is the interpretation of the Walton County Planning Department that precedence within the LDC requires a maximum Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Sign based on area limits to allow the utmost design flexibility for various Homeowners Associations, Property Owners Associations, and other such entities that have certain sign design requirements. 

In all aspects of the LDC 1.13.16.G.3 the maximum size of the required STVR Sign will be 216 square inches with all other required information and requirements per the LDC. 

This morning we became aware of an issue with our third-party mailing system. Unfortunately, there was a glitch which inadvertently added condominiums to our 90-day notification distribution list for the 32550 zip code. If you receive one of these letters, and you live in a condominium, please disregard the notification. However, all other state and county regulations, licensing, and registrations continue to apply.

Since October 2018 the State of Florida Division of Motorist Services issued guidance the new U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Safety Administration category of LSV. This category covers low-speed vehicles, golf carts converted to low-speed vehicles, low-speed vehicles converted to golf carts or mini trucks. Use the following link to view details of restrictions and requirements:  FLHSMV - Low Speed Vehicles TL63

Visit Walton County Sherriff Low Speed Vehicle page https://waltonso.org/lsv/ for additional safety and laws pertaining on road operation requirements. 

Do the interior and exterior sketches need to be professional made? -  There is no need for a professional interior or exterior sketch, both can be hand drawn (as close to scale as possible) on a piece of paper with at least all of the indicated items annotated if applicable. A simple solution is to pull the interior dimensional drawing from the Walton County Property Appraiser’s web site as your sketch base and add all other information. An exterior overhead screen shot from any mapping site could be utilized as the sketch base for the exterior requirement.

How do I find the zoning of my property? -  All zoning information can be located on the Walton County Florida Geospatial Information System website. Search for your address and then toggle on Zoning from the Layers List. 

Click on your property to bring up the informational menu and then page over to the zoning information. 

NOTE: The Exterior Sign Template located at the link below is NOT prescriptive in any way. The only requirements for exterior signage on the exterior of short-term vacation rental are:

a. The sign must be prominently placed on the wall or property of the short-term vacation rental unit so that the required content of the sign shall be legible as viewed from the public right-of-way; however, signage shall not be placed in the public right-of-way.

b. Such signs shall not be larger than 18 [inches] by 12 inches.

c. The sign must indicate the name, and 24 hours per day, seven days a week emergency contact phone number or the locally available responsible party or the county's short-term vacation rental hotline number if available clearly identified as such and easily distinguishable from any rental related phone number if different.

d. The sign must indicate the units short-term vacation rental certificate number. 

Sign material, font, or design are not dictated so as to allow uniformity standards to be dictated by local HOAs or Communities. The sign must be separate from and clearly distinct from any existing signage on the property.

Exterior Sign Template WCSTR 2306

Please contact your advertising/hosting platform to ensure that they registered your short-term vacation rental with the Florida Department of Revenue to remit state taxes on your behalf. You will need the unique ID number associated with your property in order to apply for the county certificate. 

Additional information regarding Florida State Sales and Use Tax can be found at the following links: 

Florida Department of Revenue E-Enrollment Site

Florida Department of Revenue Registration Guide

Florida Department of Revenue General Sales and Use Tax Information

Florida Department of Revenue Living or Sleeping Accommodations Sales and Use Tax Information

Florida Department of Revenue Agent Application for Collective Registration of Living or Sleeping Accommodations

3 MAY 2023 - Thank you for your interest in the Short-Term Vacation Rental Certification Program. Working through initial certifications, comments, calls and questions there is a common misconception which could delay your application process - obtaining registration and licensure. Below are the three required items FOR ALL short-term vacation rental owners operating in Walton County. 

1 MAY 2023 - Walton County Department of Planning & Development Services began notification with all currently identified owners or their designated agent on a rolling geographic basis, indicating the time frame during which applications will be accepted based on property location. A REFERENCE application packet is available in the document section of this site. The online application link will be provided in the notice to apply, which will begin mailing this week. 

Additionally, we have uploaded a summary of the State of Florida Life Safety Requirements in an infographic form for reference.  

Thank you for your patience as we update and upgrade our ability to serve you. If you have any questions, please use the contact form below. 

^{*** Please note that this is only an estimate based on anticipated application submission workload and will be modified as required.}