City of Panama City Beach, FL
Home Menu
Short-Term Rentals
Read Our Updated Guidelines
Vacation Rental or Transient Residential Rental means any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative or any individually or collectively owned single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family house or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment but that is not a timeshare project.
Transient public lodging establishment means any unit, group of units, dwelling, building, or group of buildings within a single complex of buildings which is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less. or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests.
Per PCB Ordinance 1632, all vacation rentals must have a valid Vacation Rental Certificate. It is unlawful to rent or allow occupancy without one.
Note: This applies only to Panama City Beach city limits. For Bay County rental regulations, click here. To check if your property is within city limits, click here.
Returning Applicants
If your property passed the 2025 inspection, received a certificate, and has no changes to property ownership, re-registration will require only the submission of an application.Required for Renewal:
• A completed Vacation Rental Registration Application form
Re-registration Fees:
• $150 Re-registration Fee
• $75 Re-Inspect Fee (if required)
Please note, the City of PCB no longer accepts American Express.
New Applicants
New vacation rental applicants must register at PCB Short-Term Rental
Required for New Applications:
• A completed Vacation Rental Registration Application form
• A notarized Vacation Rental Registration Affidavit form
• Proof of DBPR (Department of Business & Professional Regulations) License
• Proof of Registration with the Bay County TDC / TDT (Tourist Development Tax)
• Proof of a valid PCB Local BTR (Business Tax Receipt) number
• Have a pool inspection (if applicable)
New Registration Fees:
• $250 Registration Fee*
• $75 Re-Inspect Fee**
• $100 Lock-out Fee***
Please note, the City of PCB no longer accepts American Express.
*New ownership requires a new registration fee.
**Failed Inspections require a $75 re-inspection fee.
***Failure to admit the inspector entry or failure to provide means of entry, will result in a $100 "no-show" or "lock-out" fee.
Safety Standards
Florida Certified Fire Extinguisher Companies
|
Action Fire & Safety |
605 E. 6th St. Panama City FL, 32401 |
850-769-8304 |
|
Advance Fire Protection |
103 Amar Pl. Suite 103 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
850-236-0620 |
|
B&C Fire Safety |
17657 Cordova Pl. Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
850-862-7812 |
|
Hiller Fire Protection |
60 Bulldog Rd. Freeport, FL 32439 |
850-659-7555 |
Interior Postings
• Post the required information near the main entrance or on the refrigerator.
• Include the following details:
o Rental unit address
o Name and phone number of the responsible party
o Maximum occupancy (provided by PCBFR after passed inspection)
o Trash pickup days
o Nearest hospital location (and a reminder to call 911 for emergencies)
o Beach safety flag information and penalties for violations
o “Leave No Trace” requirements
o A building evacuation map (minimum size: 8.5” x 11”)
o A notice about complying with local noise, parking, and occupancy ordinances (violations may result in tickets or citations).
Exterior Signage
• Single-family vacation rentals* (not condos):
o Post a visible sign on the property that can be seen from the street.
• Condos and other rentals:
o Use a visible decal or sticker on an exterior door or window.
• Include on the sign, decal, or sticker:
o Name and 24/7 contact number of the responsible party
o Local Business Tax Receipt Number (Vacation Rental Certificate Number)
*Based on Bay County Property Appraiser Property Use Code Classification
Click Here to Read Our Updated Guidelines!
Contact Us for Assistance
Contact the Panama City Beach Fire Inspections Division for guidance:
• Phone: (850) 233-5100 ext.2413
• Email: fireinspections@pcbfl.gov