Cape Canaveral, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Cape Canaveral's 7-night minimum covers residential zones; Space Coast rentals average $183 ADR, 50.5% occupancy, $2,638 monthly revenue (September 2026).
Quick Answer: Cape Canaveral, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is $2,638. average daily rate in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is $183. the top operator in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is Happy Palm Stays with 408 listings. market score is 62/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Melbourne/Titusville regional market, which includes Cape Canaveral. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cape Canaveral.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Space Coast STR market, the Brevard County coastal region that includes Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Performance figures below describe that regional market rather than Cape Canaveral alone, and the latest data month is September 2026. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cape Canaveral, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the Space Coast STR market averaged an ADR of $183 with occupancy of 50.5%, producing average monthly revenue of $2,638 per listing. Entire place listings earned $2,757 a month, houses earned $2,830, and apartments earned $2,498. Year over year, occupancy rose 9.8%, ADR rose 5.1%, and revenue rose 10.8%, so the gain came from both more booked nights and higher rates.
September is also the weakest month in the seasonal profile, with occupancy of 49.5% and revenue of $2,291, so the monthly figure should be read alongside the annual picture. Through September 2026 the year shows occupancy of 65%, ADR of $226, and monthly revenue of $4,032, compared with 62.2%, $213, and $3,707 for full-year 2025.
Cape Canaveral itself has about 9,779 residents and sits next to Port Canaveral, which handled 7.6 million multi-day cruise passengers in 2024. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex draws nearly 2 million visitors a year, and Orlando is about 45 minutes away. Cruise pre and post stays, launch viewing, and beach trips give the area several separate demand sources.
The local rule that matters most to buyers is zoning: homes in R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zones carry a grandfathered 7-consecutive-night minimum stay, which shapes how a property can be booked.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 65% |
| Feb | 81% |
| Mar | 81% |
| Apr | 63% |
| May | 61% |
| Jun | 71% |
| Jul | 72% |
| Aug | 56% |
| Sep | 50% |
| Oct | 56% |
| Nov | 57% |
| Dec | 59% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cape Canaveral are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Melbourne/Titusville market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Melbourne/Titusville market as a whole, which includes Cape Canaveral, so these counts are not Cape Canaveral-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Palm Stays | 408 | 13,709 | ★ 4.82 |
| 2 | Beachside Vacation Rentals | 284 | 8,885 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Evolve | 111 | 5,255 | ★ 4.69 |
| 4 | Beachside VR | 65 | 1,862 | ★ 4.49 |
| 5 | Vacasa | 63 | 1,562 | ★ 4.32 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cape Canaveral?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cape Canaveral are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 34.6% |
| vrbo | 11.1% |
| both | 54.3% |
Home Value Trends (Cape Canaveral)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cape Canaveral are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Cape Canaveral — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Cape Canaveral, but they require several credentials. Operators must hold a City Vacation Rental Registration through the Deckard portal, a City Business Tax Receipt, and a Brevard County Business Tax Receipt. A Florida DBPR transient lodging license is also required for rentals under 30 days more than 3 times per year. The registration program launched October 1, 2021 under Ordinance No. 10-2021.
The annual registration fee is $450 per unit for non-homesteaded properties and $300 for homesteaded ones. A safety inspection costs $100, late registration costs $150, and an ownership or agent transfer costs $100. Registration renews annually. The occupancy tax is 5%.
The key zoning restriction is a grandfathered 7-consecutive-night minimum stay in R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zones. It predates Florida’s 2011 state preemption law. Properties in C-1 Low Density Commercial zones and certain non-conforming buildings may allow shorter stays. Individual room rentals are prohibited, so the entire unit must be rented, and properties cannot be used as commercial event or party venues.
Occupancy limits depend on conditioned square footage: 8 occupants up to 2,000 square feet, 10 for 2,001 to 3,000, 12 for 3,001 to 4,500, and 14 above 4,500. A 24-hour local contact must respond to complaints or emergencies within one hour.
Neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. Effective October 1, 2025, fees rose and collection of the tourist development tax moved from the Brevard County Tax Collector to the Brevard County Clerk of Court. Verify current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The Space Coast STR market ran at 50.5% occupancy and a $183 ADR in September 2026. September is the seasonal low, though, and the strongest months tell a different story. March reaches 81.2% occupancy and a $213 ADR, and through September 2026 the year-to-date ADR is $226, with occupancy of 65%.
Growth is a point in the region’s favor. Year-over-year occupancy is up 9.8%, ADR is up 5.1%, and revenue is up 10.8%.
The regional demand base is also distinct from many inland markets. Port Canaveral handled 7.6 million multi-day cruise passengers in 2024, with 91 percent of cruise guests staying overnight before or after voyages, and the Space Coast logged 93 orbital launches in 2024. The average travel group is 3.1 people staying 4.5 nights.
Property manager and operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cape Canaveral, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Canaveral, Florida
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Is there a minimum stay in Cape Canaveral?
How much does a Cape Canaveral vacation rental registration cost?
What are typical Airbnb earnings on the Space Coast?
What are the best and worst months for STR occupancy?
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