Short-Term Rental Regulations · 30A / South Walton, FL
Is 30A short-term-rental friendly?
Yes. The 30A corridor (Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Inlet Beach and neighbors) is unincorporated Walton County, which runs a structured annual Short-Term Vacation Rental registration program. Permits are readily available with no night caps or primary-residence requirement, but the county enforces a strict occupancy formula, parking, and conduct standards, and private community rules along 30A can be stricter still.
Last updated: . Every fact links to its official source.
Town-by-town rules
| Town | Permit required? | Annual cost | Primary-residence / night-cap limits | Lodging tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton County (unincorporated, incl. the 30A corridor) | Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Walton County, which includes the entire 30A corridor, require an annual Short-Term Vacation Rental certificate from the county's Office of Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration, layered on state prerequisites: Florida sales tax registration, a state DBPR vacation rental license, and Tourist Development Tax registration with the Clerk of Courts. (Walton County STVR registration office (opens in a new tab), Walton County STVR FAQ (opens in a new tab)) | Initial or annual registration is $300 per property ($227 for community-managed properties) under BCC Resolution 2024-57, effective February 1, 2025. Operating without registration costs $500 per day. Renewals move to a June 1 through May 31 cycle beginning with the 2026-2027 cycle; renew 60 days before expiration. (Walton County STVR registration office (fee table and renewal schedule) (opens in a new tab)) | No general primary-residence requirement or annual rental-night cap was found in the cited county materials. A single-family dwelling occupied full time by the owner as a declared homestead is exempt from registration, and no annual night cap applies to registered rentals. (Walton County STVR FAQ (exemptions) (opens in a new tab), Walton County STVR registration office (opens in a new tab)) | Guests pay 7% state and local sales tax (6% Florida state plus 1% Walton County surtax) plus the 5% South Walton Tourist Development Tax on stays of less than six months. No rental ad platform remits Walton County TDT funds for you. (Walton County Clerk of Courts, Tourist Development Tax (opens in a new tab), Clerk of Courts, STR tax collection guide PDF (opens in a new tab)) |
"Not found" means the restriction was not located in the linked official materials reviewed as of the update date. It does not prove that no later, uncodified, parcel-specific, or special-district rule applies.
Good to know
- Walton County (unincorporated, incl. the 30A corridor): Occupancy is capped at one person per 150 square feet of conditioned space (or a lower certified maximum), a 24/7 local responsible party who responds within one hour is required, on-street parking is prohibited, quiet hours run 10 pm to 6 am with fines up to $500, and signage plus posted occupancy and parking disclosures are mandatory. Private community rules along 30A can be stricter than county rules. (Walton County STVR FAQ (opens in a new tab), Walton County STVR registration office (opens in a new tab))
FAQ
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental on 30A?
Yes. The 30A corridor is unincorporated Walton County, and the county requires an annual Short-Term Vacation Rental certificate per property, plus state-level sales tax registration, a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, and Tourist Development Tax registration with the Clerk of Courts.
How much does registration cost?
The county charges $300 per property per year ($227 for community-managed properties) under Resolution 2024-57, effective February 1, 2025. Operating without registration draws a $500 per day penalty. Renewals move to a June 1 through May 31 cycle starting in 2026-2027.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent?
No annual night cap was found in the cited county materials, and there is no primary-residence requirement for standard registration. Owner-occupied homestead homes are exempt from registration entirely. Occupancy, parking, noise, and trash rules are the binding constraints.
What taxes do guests pay on 30A?
Stays under six months carry 7% state and local sales tax (6% state plus 1% county surtax) and a 5% South Walton Tourist Development Tax, for 12% total. Platforms do not remit the county TDT on your behalf, so plan to file through the Clerk's portal.
General information, not legal advice. Short-term rental rules change, so verify current requirements with the jurisdiction before listing.