The Best Short Term Rental Areas Near Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater

The first step in investing in a short-term rental in any market is to learn the local zoning rules to not end up purchasing a property with a 30-day or more minimum stay. 

This is your guide to the best areas permitting short-term rentals in Tampa, Pinellas County, and beaches within an hour of Tampa.

The Top Short-Term Rental Areas in Pinellas County

Most investors start searching in Tampa but the best ROI can be found in properties within 20 minutes of the beaches with pools in Pinellas County. 

Well-known Pinellas County areas including Clearwater, Dunedin, and St. Petersburg have minimum rental requirements of 30 days or more but there are areas within these areas designated Unincorporated.

These unincorporated properties can be identified in the property records and they are shown on the map below. These are my favorite properties as they have the least regulation and many investors don't know how to look for them which allows less competition compared to areas like Largo, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Daily stays are also permitted in specially zoned areas of Gulfport, Pinellas Park, Largo, Downtown Cental zoning in Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Indian Rocks Beach, and specially zoned areas of Dunedin and St. Petersburg allow bed and breakfast permits which essentially allow owner-occupants to run an Airbnb in an ADU or multifamily units.

Tampa Bay Short-Term Rentals

Tampa Bay has a minimum 7-day rental requirement and it’s 30 minutes from any beach, but opportunities for success still exist with high demand from Tampa's non-stop events including football, hockey, concerts, and business events.

Tampa is my top choice for midterm rentals with several hospitals and a lot of affordable multifamily that rent out at great rates with traveling nurses.

Beaches Allowing Short Term Rentals 

Many investors want a beachfront property near Tampa, but few beaches allow short-term rentals with St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach all enforcing 30-day minimums.

Beach short term properties offer less cash flow than lower priced homes with pools near the beach, but they tend to give the highest appreciation and the beach will be the last area to have high vacancy. 

Indian Rocks Beach is my top choice for beaches as it is located between two of the top beaches in the country that do not permit daily rentals. It has recently had stricter rules enforced but owners can still rent out properties nightly and it hasn’t effected revenue based on the Airdna data. 

Anna Maria Island is my second favorite beach for short-term rental investing but the high prices and 7-day minimum stay requirements make it hard to cash flow along with the rising cost of flood insurance for the more affordable homes that are not elevated.

Crystal Beach is a very small beach located about 25 minutes north of Clearwater Beach.  It only has about ten feet of sand but properties can still do very well with larger waterfront homes at much lower prices than Indian Rocks and Anna Marisa Island.

Apollo Beach is located about 30 minutes south of Tampa and it does not have an actual beach that vacationers can swim at. Despite the lack of a true beach and a seven-day minimum stay, there are still several properties that bring in great income   compared to the Apollo Beach prices.

Why are there still so many daily Airbnbs in areas like St. Petersburg and Clearwater?

Many investors break the rules but all it takes is one upset neighbor and the city can send a letter threatening fines until you transition to a long-term rental. This often leaves investors with a property that won't have cash flow forcing a sale. 

There are also condos, townhouses, and condo hotels with HOAs that permit short-term stays within areas that have 30-day minimum rental requirements. 

Final Thoughts

Remember, even if a property is in an area that allows daily stays it may have HOA or deed restrictions that prevent investors from offering daily stays to tenants. 

Tenant approval rules with HOAs can also prevent investors from offering same-day bookings making it very hard to get a good occupancy. 

Always verify how long tenant approval takes with an HOA as well as deed restrictions with the Title company prior to closing. 

Find an agent who has experience investing in short-term rentals themselves to have the best chance for a legal and profitable short-term rental. 

I own and operate several successful long-term, midterm, and short-term rentals and I would love to help anyone looking to get started in one of the best short-term rental markets in the country. 

Important Disclaimer

The rules and regulations regarding short-term rentals in Tampa, Florida, and surrounding areas are subject to change. It's important for property owners and investors to stay updated on current laws. Always contact the local zoning department or a legal professional for the most recent information and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances. This article serves as a general guide and may not encompass all the latest regulatory changes.