Operating a short-term rental in Flagler County requires navigating a patchwork of state preemption law, county regulations, and city-specific rules. Here’s the current state of play as of early 2026.

Florida State Preemption

Florida law preempts local governments from banning short-term rentals outright. Counties and cities can regulate them — but they can’t prohibit them entirely in areas where they were previously allowed. This is important baseline protection for STR owners in the state.

Flagler County Requirements

Properties in unincorporated Flagler County must register with the county and obtain a Tourist Development Tax certificate. The county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is currently 5%, collected on all short-term rental income from stays of 182 days or less. This is in addition to Florida’s state sales tax of 6%.

Flagler County does not currently have occupancy caps or parking restrictions for vacation rentals in most unincorporated areas, though noise ordinances apply. The county requires properties to have a designated local contact available 24/7 to respond to complaints within one hour.

Flagler Beach City Rules

The City of Flagler Beach requires a separate vacation rental license, currently $150/year. Properties must pass a basic safety inspection (smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers). Occupancy limits are two persons per bedroom plus two additional. Quiet hours are 10pm–8am.

Palm Coast

Palm Coast has been one of the more STR-friendly municipalities in the region. Registration is required, and the city has so far avoided the stricter regulations seen in some Florida markets. This remains an area to monitor as the city grows.

What This Means for Owners

The compliance picture in Flagler County is manageable but requires attention. We handle all licensing, tax collection and remittance, and local contact requirements for properties in our portfolio. If you’re self-managing, make sure you’re registered with both the county and any applicable municipality.