St. Johns County, Florida: Short-Term Rental Permit (2025)

STR Regulation in St. Johns County, Florida

St. Johns County (Ponte Vedra Beach area, near Jacksonville and St. Augustine) requires both a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License and a county-level registration. The St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra market has grown significantly. Annual renewal required for both the state license and local registration.

General Application Requirements

Most U.S. STR permit applications require the following core documents regardless of jurisdiction. Gather these before contacting the permit office:

• Current deed or property tax records (proof of ownership)
• Certificate of insurance listing the property for short-term rental use
• Maximum occupancy declaration
• Completed application form from the local authority
• Application fee (verify current amount locally)

For a comprehensive checklist covering all stages from pre-application through renewal, download our free STR Permit Starter Kit.

Jurisdiction Verification

Before applying, confirm whether your property is in St. Johns County's unincorporated territory or within an incorporated municipality. The answer determines which office issues your permit and which rules apply. See our City vs. County guide for step-by-step verification methods.

Taxes

Register for state and local lodging taxes separately from your STR permit. Verify whether your booking platform remits these automatically in Florida or whether you must file directly.