LicensedRental

Florida county rules

Escambia County, FL vacation rental rules and taxes

Escambia County charges a 5% tourist tax, collected by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, on top of 7.5% state sales tax (6% plus the 1.5% surtax). Neither the county nor Pensacola has vacation rental registration, but the Santa Rosa Island Authority was weighing rules for Pensacola Beach in fall 2026.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026
Tourist development tax
5%
State sales tax 7.5% (6% plus the 1.5% surtax).Source
Who collects
Clerk of the Circuit Court
County registration
None
Pensacola Beach rules proposed (see unincorporated page).Source
DBPR renewal
June 1
District 6.Source

What to do

  1. Register for the tourist tax

    Register with the Clerk’s TDT office and file every period. Ask whether your platform files the county tax for you; for direct bookings you always file it.Source

  2. Then your area

    Pick your area for its checklist.

Towns

Full guide

Century

Century has no vacation rental registration or rules in its code. You need the DBPR license and the county tourist tax account.

Full guide

Pensacola

Pensacola has no vacation rental registration or rules in its code. You need the DBPR license and the county tourist tax account.

Full guide

Unincorporated Escambia

Unincorporated Escambia, including Perdido Key, has no vacation rental registration. On Pensacola Beach, the Santa Rosa Island Authority was considering a registry with annual registration, inspection records, guest parking rules, a one-hour response requirement, and a three-strike rule, with a vote possible November 4, 2026.

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.