Catching STVR Out Of Compliance
At a Planning Commission Meeting earlier in May, Joshua Allen, Tourism and Livability Coordinator for Walton County noted short-term rentals are easily spotted because the County has “software that catches it [unreported short-term rentals] and helps the County determine if it is a noncompliant STVR.
Allen also mentioned that Home Owner Associations (HOAs) help the County find STVR violations. With parking restraints and the busy summer months approaching, overcrowding in neighborhoods can easily be a reason to see if a neighbor is listing their property on the Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO) application or a similar application.
After fines are determined and assessed, Code Enforcement for the County takes over and is responsible for working with the homeowner who is not compliant.
Allen added that each of the properties on the Magistrate’s case docket received multiple notices regarding the violations of the STVR code.
Allen said the County has treated enforcement as a time of “education” for the last couple of years. But now that sufficient and extended notices have been issued – the enforcement must begin.
How Do I Get My Short-Term Vacation Rental In Compliance in Walton County?
For those seeking certification, there are specific prerequisites that the homeowner must meet. They include the following:
- Register the ‘Business’ with the Florida Department of State (if a company holds the property deed).
- Register the property with the Florida Department of Revenue for state tax remittal here. If you are exclusively renting on Airbnb or VRBO, you only need to provide your listing IDs. Property Registration with the Florida Department of Revenue for state tax remittal (if exclusively renting on Airbnb or VRBO, you only need to provide your listing ID(s).
- Property Licensing through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
- Property Registration with Walton County Clerk of Courts to remit Tourism Development Tax.
- Register with Walton County Vacation Rental Registration Program (Contact stvr@mywaltonfl.gov with your business address and account email.
For more information on the STVR certification program, see https://mywcfl.rentals.
The Tourism and Livability Coordinator told the Magistrate after the compliance hearing that all homeowners purchasing single-family homes since 2023 have received a mailing from the County that gives the new homeowner directions for obtaining Vacation Rental Certification if they plan to rent their home.
