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How to Get St. Augustine Short Term Rental Permits: Step-by-Step Guide for Owners

  • Writer: Seth Balogh
    Seth Balogh
  • Aug 23
  • 3 min read

For: St. Johns County, Florida


Laptop showing an approved Florida short term rental permit with official documents on a desk, overlooking St. Augustine landmarks — representing the process of obtaining St. Augustine short term rental permits for vacation rentals.
St. Augustine short term rental permits: Approved license and compliance paperwork for vacation rental owners.

Operating a short-term rental (STR) in St. Augustine, FL isn’t just about welcoming guests — it’s about making sure your business is properly licensed and compliant with state and county regulations. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate Florida’s STR permitting process with the exact links you’ll need.


✅ Step 1. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (State Sales Tax Certificate)


Before applying for any St. Augustine short term rental permits, you’ll need a Florida Sales Tax Certificate.


Steps:


  1. Go to the Florida Department of Revenue.

  2. Click on the General Tax tab.

  3. Under “Registering a Business,” select Account Registration.

  4. Click on Florida Business Tax Application.

  5. Create an account and complete the application.

    • NAICS Code: 721199 (All Other Traveler Accommodation)

  6. Wait to receive your Sales Tax Certificate by email or mail.


➡️ You must have this before continuing to the next steps.


✅ Step 2. Apply for a Florida DBPR Lodging License (State Business License)


Every vacation rental in Florida must be licensed through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).


Steps:

  1. Visit the Florida DBPR Online Services Portal.

  2. Create an online account.

  3. Select Apply for a New License.

  4. Choose:

    • Division of Hotels & Restaurants → Applying for a Lodging License

  5. Select the correct license type:

    • Vacation Rental – Dwelling (for single-family homes)

    • Vacation Rental – Condo (for condominiums)

  6. Complete the application and pay the applicable fees.


✅ Step 3. Apply for a St. Johns County Business Tax Receipt (BTR)


This is your local business license for operating within the county.


Steps:


  1. Go to the St. Johns County Tax Collector Business Tax Receipt page.

  2. Click on BTR Application under the Business Tax section.

  3. Complete the online application with your STR property and business details.

  4. Pay the fee and wait for confirmation.


✅ Step 4. Register for Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Collection


St. Johns County requires STR operators to collect and remit a 5% Tourist Development Tax (as of 2025).


Steps:


  1. On the Tax Collector’s Tourist Development Tax page, click TDT Application.

  2. Register as a collector of Tourist Development Tax.

  3. You’ll receive credentials to log in and submit monthly TDT returns.


✅ Step 5. Obtain a St. Johns County or City of St. Augustine STR License


Each STR property must be individually registered with the County.


Steps:


Upload supporting documents such as:

  • DBPR License

  • State Sales Tax Certificate

  • Local Business Tax Receipt

  • Proof of TDT Registration


Pay fees and comply with any inspections or safety requirements.


🔑 Why Owners Must Take Ownership of the Process


One of the most important things STR owners can do is file all applications under their own name and ensure they are the primary listing owner on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.


This matters because:


  • Legal responsibility: Your name should be tied to the property licenses, not just a manager’s.

  • Control: If you ever change managers, you keep ownership of your licenses and accounts.

  • Financial transparency: You always have direct access to your earnings and tax records.


At In The Sun Vacation Rentals, we build our entire management approach around transparency. We want owners to stay in the driver’s seat, while we handle the day-to-day operations. That way, you can keep a pulse on your business at all times without ever feeling disconnected. If you have any questions please contact us at In The Sun!


🎯 Final Thoughts


Getting your STR properly permitted in St. Augustine may feel like a maze, but once you’ve followed these five steps, you’ll be fully licensed and compliant at the state, county, and city level. This not only protects you legally but also ensures trust with your guests.


👉 Save this guide, bookmark the links, and you’ll never second-guess whether you’ve missed a step.

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