Destin, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Destin Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Destin's short-term rentals are single-family residences rented out for one day to no more than six months. A contact person should live within 30 miles of the proposed rental property and can respond within one hour in case there will be an issue and must be available 24/7. Within seven days after registration, owners are required to post a clear sign on the property with their name and contact information. Signage size should be 18″x18″ and should indicate occupancy limits and parking information. A registration decal from the City is required to display in the upper left-hand corner of that sign. No guest may stay until the sign is posted.Check Article 7 of the City of Destin Land Development Code and only invest in properties within these approved zones. View zoning map to determine your location.
As of January 22, 2019, The City of Destin adopted occupancy limits for short-term rentals. Maximum overnight occupancy shall be limited to the lesser occupancy of these options:
- Two persons for each bedroom, plus four additional persons.
- A total of 24 persons per short-term rental property. If more than one building or dwelling is on one plated lot, the maximum occupancy shall be capped at 24 occupants per lot or structure, whichever is less.
Business License Requirements
Obtain the Current, Valid, and Necessary Documents:- A City of Destin Business Tax Receipt
- A Florida Rental Dwelling License
- A Florida Department of Revenue Resale Certificate
- A City of Destin Short Term Rental Affidavit of Bedrooms/Parking Spaces
- A City of Destin Application for Short Term Rental
- A City of Destin Grandfather Certificate of Short Term Rental Occupancy. If Applicable.
A business registration fee typically comprises a $69 license fee, a $45 application fee, and a $57.50 fire inspection fee. These various fees can be prorated depending on the time of year you apply.
Building and Housing Standards
Stay in compliance with the Ordinance of the City of Destin, Florida. Section 6. Creation of Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-108. General Regulations/Standards.Tourist and Local Taxes
The tourist development tax is a 5% bed tax collected from the current taxing district representing an area of Okaloosa County.Other Rules
The laws and regulations that govern the short-term rental market are constantly changing. As demand remains high, more and more cities and vacation destinations will continue to take steps to protect residential neighborhoods and guests alike. For now, check the City's ordinances and state laws before getting started and revisit them often as regulations can change at any time.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.5
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Competition
2.7 -
Real Estate Cost
4.7 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
2.4 -
Rental Rates
8.5
Destin, Florida Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 13,931
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- March - April, May- July
- County
- Okaloosa
- Airports
- Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
Want to learn more about Destin?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Destin rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Destin rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Destin.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Destin guests.
Interested in other Florida cities?
Check out the Florida Airbnb rules directory
What makes Destin a great place to invest?
- Beautiful Beaches - Destin is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, with powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, and take part in various water activities such as paddleboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing.
- Destin Harbor Boardwalk - This scenic boardwalk is a hub of activity with shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Visitors can take a walk along the waterfront, enjoy the views, and dine at one of the many seafood restaurants.
- Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park - This family-friendly park is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. With thrilling water slides, a wave pool, and go-karts, visitors can enjoy a day of fun and adventure.
- Henderson Beach State Park - This natural oasis is a great place to explore the beauty of Florida's natural landscape. With miles of hiking trails, visitors can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the pristine beaches and turquoise waters.
- Deep-Sea Fishing - Destin is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" due to its deep-sea fishing opportunities. Visitors can charter a boat and head out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch a variety of fish species such as red snapper, grouper, and tuna.
- Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park - This marine park allows visitors to get up close and personal with marine animals, such as dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays. Visitors can also take part in interactive exhibits, watch live shows, and learn about conservation efforts.
Destin Nearby Cities
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- Rating: 5.6
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- Rating: 5.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Destin?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Destin has decreased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $426, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$599,054
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Median per Square Foot
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$426
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,197
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Destin, Florida
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Destin has a description approximately 2,575 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 8,043 listings in Destin, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, Balcony, Pool, Destin, Gulf, Sleep, View, Hot tub, Vacation, and Sleeper.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Destin?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Destin involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Water Parks, Boating, and Outlet Shopping. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Beach
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Swimming
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Water Parks
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Boating
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Outlet Shopping
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Snorkeling
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Jet Skiing
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Parasailing
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Scuba Diving
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Sailing
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Surfing
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Adventure Activities
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Destin, including Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Destin Beaches, HarborWalk Village, Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park, and Henderson Beach State Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Destin Beaches
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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HarborWalk Village
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Henderson Beach State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Destin Commons
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Morgan Sports Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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James Lee Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Okaloosa Island Pier
Included on 65% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Fort Walton Beach Park
Included on 65% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Destin Harbor
Included on 64% of listings
What’s the weather like in Destin, Florida?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 76°, while the average low is about 62°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 53 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Destin are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
48° Low 63° High
Spring
March through May
62° Low 74° High
Summer
June through August
76° Low 87° High
Fall
September through November
64° Low 78° High
Cities Near Destin
Destin, Florida, is located in Okaloosa County. Some cities that are located nearby include: