Okaloosa County, Florida
Fort Walton Beach, FL vacation rental requirements
Fort Walton Beach adopted short-term vacation rental registration in April 2025: a yearly decal renewed by the end of February, a responsible party within 30 miles who responds within an hour, and, in R-1, R1E, and R2 zoning, two guests per bedroom plus four (up to 24) and one parking space per 2.5 guests.
Checked against official sources November 5, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
Fees are set by resolution; ask the city for the current amount.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Florida
Get the DBPR vacation rental license
Apply online to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants as a Vacation Rental – Condominium or Vacation Rental – Dwelling, listing every unit address. Approval usually takes one to two business days and the license is emailed. There is no inspection before it’s issued, but DBPR can inspect afterward. Post the license (or a copy) in the unit.Source
Renew every year by your district’s date
Licenses renew on a set date for each DBPR district. Brevard, Volusia, Indian River, St. Lucie, Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole (District 4) renew April 1, with the half-year rate from October 1. Duval, Nassau, Clay, Flagler, St. Johns, Levy, Alachua, Marion, and the rest of District 5 renew June 1, with the half-year rate from December 1. Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Gulf, Franklin, and the rest of District 6 also renew June 1. Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward (District 2) renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Miami-Dade and Monroe (District 1) renew October 1, with the half-year rate from April 1. Collier, Lee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, and the rest of District 7 renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, and the rest of District 3 renew February 1, with the half-year rate from August 1. If you won’t rent until after the next renewal date, waiting to apply can save paying twice.Source
Register for Florida sales tax if you collect rent yourself
Whoever receives the rent collects and pays the tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect Florida’s 6% tax and the county surtax on bookings made through them, so if every booking goes through them you don’t need your own sales tax account. If you take direct bookings, or a property manager collects rent for you, you or the manager register with the Department of Revenue and file. You stay responsible if a platform or manager doesn’t pay it.Source
Meet the state fire safety rule
Florida Administrative Code 69A-43.018 asks rental homes for smoke alarms powered by the house wiring plus one in every bedroom, NFPA 10 extinguishers, one hour of battery emergency lighting to the main exit, a posted floor diagram showing the primary and secondary exits, and fire safety information for guests.Source
Balcony inspection for taller buildings
Buildings three or more stories tall must file a Certificate of Balcony Inspection with DBPR every three years. Condo units are exempt when the balconies and stairs are common elements and you give DBPR proof.Source
Keep up the state operating rules
Keep the unit clean, safe, and free of pests; change sheets and pillowcases between guests or weekly; use cribs that meet federal safety standards; and sanitize dishes between guests or post DBPR’s exception notice.Source
Then the county and town
Most rules that affect day-to-day operation, like registration, inspections, occupancy, and parking, are set by the county and the town. Pick your town for its full checklist.
Okaloosa County, Florida
Register for the tourist tax
Register with the Clerk of Courts’ tourist tax department and file every period, including for platform bookings.Source
Then your area
Destin and Fort Walton Beach require registration. Pick your area.
City of Fort Walton Beach
Get the state license and county tourist tax account
Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license. Okaloosa County collects its own tourist tax, and Airbnb and VRBO don’t file it for you: register with the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court’s tourist tax department and file every period, even for platform bookings. Platforms do collect the state sales tax.Source
Register and get a city business tax receipt
Register with your DBPR license and DOR certificate, get a business tax receipt, and display the decal. Put the certificate and tourist tax numbers in every listing.Source
Meet the safety rules
A fire extinguisher on each floor, emergency exit lighting, and pool safety measures.Source
Follow the house rules
One trash can per four guests plus valet garbage service; no charter buses, commercial events, or event advertising in residential zones. Fines run up to $500 per violation.Source
House rules for guests
Sources
- Vacation rental and timeshare project licensing guide · Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants
- Rule 12A-1.061, sales tax on transient rentals (registration in part (9)) · Florida Department of Revenue (Florida Administrative Code)
- Rule 69A-43.018, fire safety for one- and two-family homes licensed as public lodging · State Fire Marshal (Florida Administrative Code)
- Certificate of Balcony Inspection (DBPR HR 7020) · Florida DBPR
- Tourist development tax · Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts
- Code section · City of Fort Walton Beach (Municode)
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.