West Palm Beach, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
West Palm Beach 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
West Palm Beach Code of Ordinances regulates land uses in West Palm Beach. Contact the City of West Palm Beach’s Development Services Department for more information. Types of Rental Properties Type 1: Owner-Occupied (Single-Family, Multifamily, or Duplex)Definition
- Owner-occupied or associated with an owner-occupied principal residence,
- Includes the rental of an entire dwelling unit,
- OR (If only part of the unit) includes, at a minimum, a sleeping room with a shared full bathroom), is limited to a single party of individuals, and the owner is generally present during the rental.
Rules
- Applicants must provide documentation that the property is owner-occupied or is associated with an owner-occupied principal residential unit.
- Ownership information on your application must match the deed as recorded with the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office.
- Are not owner-occupied or associated with an owner-occupied principal residence,
- Are single-family or duplex properties, and include the rental of an entire dwelling unit.
Rules
- Ownership information on your application must match the deed as recorded with the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office.
- Are not owner-occupied,
- Are part of a multifamily use property (apartments, condos, etc.), and
- Include the rental of an entire dwelling unit
Rules
- Applicants must provide documentation of the total number of buildings on the property, as well as units per building.
- Applicants must comply with any current geographic caps.
Business License Requirements
A rental tax application ensures that rental units fulfill and maintain the City's minimum housing standards. The online application for a rental property license can be found here. Along with this application, property owners must also complete a zoning evaluation, which validates the number of units requested and includes the following:- Scheduled inspection with code compliance (must be completed for all rental properties)
- Fire inspection (if 3 or more units are under the same roof)
Building and Housing Standards
West Palm Beach has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please ensure that the following measures have been completed for the property to help speed the inspection portion of the zoning review: Interior- Conditions are sanitary and safe.
- All appliances, electrical work, plumbing, windows, and basic facilities are in working condition.
- Window screens are either in place or available for installation.
- Any present insects or rodents have been exterminated.
- Conditions are sanitary and safe.
- Outdoor storage has been removed.
- All parking areas are completely paved.
- Proper landscape maintenance has been performed.
- Safe egress is available (no tripping hazards).
- Address numbers are appropriately displayed on the structure.
Tourist and Local Taxes
The property owner must submit evidence of the vacation rental current and active account with Palm Beach County Tourism Development taxes (TDT) and Florida Department of Revenue certificate of registration for purposes of collecting and remitting tourist development taxes, sales surtaxes, and transient rental taxes.Other Rules
Common Code Violations:- Yard maintenance standards - Maintaining appropriate yard conditions is the responsibility of every property owner. Dead trees and/or limbs must be removed promptly, and trees must be trimmed enough so that it doesn’t obstruct the view or travel of nearby motorists.
- Inoperative motor vehicles - Disabled and/or unlicensed vehicles must be kept in a garage. These are vehicles that do not have a current license plate or aren’t able to operate on public streets safely.
- Junk, trash, and debris - Large items must be properly disposed of and not left in a yard for an extended period of time. This includes auto parts, appliances, furniture, tree limbs, etc.
- Unpaved parking - All licensed automobiles must be parked on an approved driveway or paved surface.
- Commercial equipment - No commercial vehicles/equipment are permitted to be parked and/or stored in a residential area within the City of West Palm Beach. No commercial vehicle in excess of 10,000 pounds may be parked in a residential neighborhood.
- Outdoor storage - Any equipment, furnishing, or materials that would not normally be used outdoors may not be stored outdoors. For example, you may not store indoor furniture, appliances, or building materials outside.
- Illegal dwelling units - Owners of rental units are required to obtain a rental license and undergo an inspection. Units added to the interior or exterior of a structure without the proper permits are illegal. Check with your landlord if applicable.
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Short Term City Rating5.2
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Competition
4.0 -
Real Estate Cost
5.3 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
4.5 -
Rental Rates
8.1
West Palm Beach, 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
- 117,415
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- July,December to February.
- County
- Palm Beach
- Airports
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Want to learn more about West Palm Beach?
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 West Palm Beach rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the West Palm Beach rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in West Palm Beach.
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 West Palm Beach guests.
Interested in other Florida cities?
Check out the Florida short term rental regulations directory
What makes West Palm Beach a great place to invest?
- Worth Avenue - This iconic shopping street features high-end retailers, designer boutiques, and exclusive restaurants. Visitors can stroll through the Mediterranean-style architecture and enjoy the luxurious atmosphere of this upscale destination.
- Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society - This 23-acre zoo is home to more than 500 animals from around the world, including endangered species and rescued animals. Visitors can take guided tours, animal encounters, and educational programs to learn about the importance of conservation efforts.
- Norton Museum of Art - One of the largest art museums in Florida, the Norton Museum of Art features an extensive collection of European, American, and Chinese art. Visitors can see works by famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Kravis Center for the Performing Arts - This premier performing arts center hosts a wide range of musicals, concerts, ballets, and operas throughout the year. With a state-of-the-art facility and world-class performances, the Kravis Center is a must-visit for any art lover.
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - This natural park offers a pristine stretch of beach, mangrove swamps, and a coastal hammock. Visitors can hike through the park's trails, kayak through the estuary, or take a guided tour to learn about the unique ecosystem of this protected area.
- Palm Beach International Equestrian Center - This world-renowned equestrian center hosts some of the largest and most prestigious horse shows in the world. Visitors can watch international show jumping and dressage competitions, as well as visit the on-site shops and restaurants.
- Okeeheelee Park - With more than 1,700 acres of recreational space, Okeeheelee Park offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking trails, fishing and boating in the lake, and even go horseback riding. The park also features a golf course, batting cages, and a BMX track for adrenaline junkies.
West Palm Beach Nearby Cities
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- Rating: 5.7
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- Rating: 6.2
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in West Palm Beach?
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 West Palm Beach has increased 7% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $382, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$545,702
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Median per Square Foot
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$382
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,927
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach has a description approximately 1,720 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 3,872 listings in West Palm Beach, 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 Palm Beach, Pool, West Palm, Outdoor, Lake Worth, Perfect, Block, Beautiful, Place, and Family.
What are the most popular tourist activities in West Palm Beach?
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 West Palm Beach involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Adventure Activities, 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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Adventure Activities
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Boating
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Outlet Shopping
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Snorkeling
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Museums
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Scuba Diving
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Surfing
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Zoo
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City Centre
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Sailing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in West Palm Beach, including Port of Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Convention Center, The Square, PGA National, and Rapids Water 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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Well Known Attraction
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Port of Palm Beach
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Rapids Water Park
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Clematis Street
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Square
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Worth Avenue
Included on 56% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Riviera Beach Marina
Included on 56% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Riviera Beach
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Diving Blue Heron Bridge
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
Included on 52% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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PGA National
Included on 45% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Palm Beach County Convention Center
Included on 44% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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The Square
Included on 44% of listings
What’s the weather like in West Palm Beach, Florida?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 82°, while the average low is about 69°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 43 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 West Palm Beach 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
61° Low 75° High
Spring
March through May
68° Low 81° High
Summer
June through August
76° Low 88° High
Fall
September through November
72° Low 83° High
Cities Near West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, Florida, is located in Palm Beach County. Some cities that are located nearby include: