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Short-Term Vacation Rental Certification Program
Notice to Existing Short-Term Vacation Rental Unit Owners and Operators
UPDATE 26 MAY 2023 - Please contact your advertising/hosting platform to ensure that they are registered with the Florida Department of Revenue to remit state taxes on your behalf. You will need the unique ID number 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 General Sales and Use Tax Information
Florida Department of Revenue Living or Sleeping Accommodations Sales and Use Tax Information
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.
Anticipated Timeframe Application Submission Windows | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April |
32550 | 32550 | 32550 | 32461, 32462, 32578 & 32439 | 32461, 32462, 32578 & 32439 | 32461, 32462, 32578 & 32439 | 32459 | 32459 | 32459 | 32435, 32455, 32539, 32464, 32567 & 32433 | 32435, 32455, 32539, 32464, 32567 & 32433 | 32435, 32455, 32539, 32464, 32567 & 32433 |
*** Please note that this is only an estimate based on anticipated application submission workload and will be modified as required.
Short-Term Vacation Rentals
As of February 2023 there are over 14,000+ active Short-Term Vacation Rentals operating in Walton County, FL; a 17% growth year over year. About 90% of these are single or multi-family homes where the entire house is rented (Granicus 2023). Based on market survey in 2022 - 68% of visitors to Walton County used rental houses/condos (Downs & St. Germain Research).
Since many these buildings were approved and built to a residential code, there are additional Health and Safety requirements when operating as a short-term vacation rental. Please use the links below to fully understand what is required.
State of Florida
- Florida Statutes Chapter 509 - Lodging and Food Service Establishments
- Florida Administrative Code Chapter 61C-3.001 - Public Lodging Establishments - Sanitation and Safety
- Florida Administrative Code Chapter 69A-43 Uniform Fire Safety Standards for Transient Public Lodging Establishments
- Florida Statute Chapter 212 - Transient rentals tax; rate, procedure, enforcement, exemptions
State of Florida
- Florida Department of Revenue - Short Term Vacation Rental Sales Tax Information
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation – Vacation Rental – Dwelling License
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Certificate of Balcony Inspection
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Notification of Exception to Sanitization Requirements
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Smoke Alarm Weekly Test Log
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Vacation Rental Database
Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Guidebook
Florida Life Safety Requirements
Exterior Sign Template
NOTE: PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Certification Reference Packet
- What is a short term vacation rental?
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Any unit, group of units, dwelling, building, or group of buildings within a single complex of buildings, which is rented more than three times a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests.
- What buildings are exempted?
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Certain Condominiums as defined in Chapter 509 & 718, Florida Statute.
Single Family dwelling occupied on a full-time basis by the owner as an on-premises, permanent resident and that has been declared and continues to be declared as homestead by the Walton County Property Appraiser.
Cooperatives and Homeowner’s Associations as defined in Chapters 719-720, Florida Statute.
Multi-family residential developments under common management.
Properties that have more than one dwelling under common ownership where one of the dwellings (a) is occupied on a full-time basis by the owner of the dwellings as an on-premises, permanent resident and (b) has been declared and continues to be declared as homestead by the Walton County Property Appraiser.
- How do I apply for a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate?
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1. Apply for all State and County Licenses
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Florida Department of Revenue
Walton County Tourism Development
2. Complete and Submit Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate Application from Walton County Planning and Development Services, for Individuals and Communities
3. Pay the Application Fee
- Does my property be inspected prior to issuance of the certificate?
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No, a signed affidavit is required as part of the Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Application which affirms that the owner or managing entity of the property has complied with all requirements of Walton County Florida Code 1.13.16. However, inspections may arise from a notification from the Florida State Department of Business and Professional Revenue or based on complaints based on life safety code violations reported to Walton County Fire or Sheriff Departments.
- Why do I need to have a local responsible party assigned to my rental(s)?
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The responsible party shall respond to all inspections as described in Walton County Ordinance 2023-03 as well as non-routine complaints and other immediate problems related to property rental. It is about resolving any issues that arise at the lowest level and in the quickest way possible while continuing to maintain the beauty and desirability of our community.
- What are the specific duties and qualifications of the Short-Term Vacation Rental Responsible Party?
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- Any person eighteen years of age or older may be designated by the property owner.
- Available by landline or mobile phone at the listed contact number(s) twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.
- Capable of handling any issue arising from the short-term vacation rental use.
- Willing and able to respond to the rental address within one hour following notification from the occupant, the owner, or the County to address issues.
- Monitor the short-term vacation rental unit at least once weekly to assure continued compliance with the requirements of this section, including parking and trash.