Dunnellon, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Dunnellon, FL short-term rentals averaged $179/night at 55.8% occupancy in April 2026, anchored by Rainbow Springs State Park drawing 350,000 visitors annually.
Quick Answer: Dunnellon, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Florida Central Area market area is 55%. average monthly revenue in the Florida Central Area market area is $2,878. average daily rate in the Florida Central Area market area is $189. the top operator in the Florida Central Area market area is Evolve with 358 listings. market score is 60/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Florida Central Area regional market, which includes Dunnellon. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Dunnellon.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Dunnellon is a small Marion County town of approximately 2,216 residents, located in north-central Florida. Its STR market punches well above the town’s size due to Rainbow Springs State Park and the spring-fed Rainbow River, which draw an estimated 350,000 visitors per year for tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming. Day-trippers from Ocala, Gainesville, and Tampa create a strong weekend and summer demand base, supplemented by outdoor recreation travelers, equestrian visitors, and nature tourists.
April 2026 data shows an average daily rate of $179 and occupancy of 55.8%, producing a RevPAR of $100. Year-over-year, occupancy fell 4.1% and revenue declined 1.2%, though ADR rose 3.0%. Dunnellon legalized and began actively registering STRs in September 2023, so the market is still maturing under a structured regulatory framework.
The listing mix is dominated by entire-place rentals (7,621 observations), with private rooms (468) making up a small fraction and shared rooms negligible. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom (2,787) and 3-bedroom (2,801) units are nearly equal and together represent the majority of inventory, followed by 1-bedroom (1,799), 4-bedroom (551), and 5-bedroom (129). The overall market score of 60.1 reflects strong seasonality management (81.8) and investability (83.9), offset by a lower regulation score (51.0) reflecting the newer, actively enforced registration framework.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 65% |
| Feb | 80% |
| Mar | 78% |
| Apr | 58% |
| May | 53% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 64% |
| Aug | 52% |
| Sep | 48% |
| Oct | 54% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 57% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Dunnellon are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Florida Central Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Florida Central Area market as a whole, which includes Dunnellon, so these counts are not Dunnellon-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 358 | 13,225 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | A&J Home Concierge | 160 | 633 | ★ 4.74 |
| 3 | McCormick Management Vacation Rental | 106 | 3,510 | ★ 4.84 |
| 4 | Village Valet Property Management, LLC | 102 | 1,251 | ★ 4.68 |
| 5 | Down Home Properties | 87 | 1,128 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Dunnellon?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Dunnellon 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 | 37.9% |
| vrbo | 12.1% |
| both | 50% |
Home Value Trends (Dunnellon)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Dunnellon 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 Dunnellon — 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
Dunnellon legalized and began regulating short-term vacation rentals citywide in September 2023 under Chapter 18, Article VIII of the Code of Ordinances. Every STR operator must register annually with the city and renew by October 1. As of April 1, 2025, the annual registration fee is $380 per unit, plus a $40 fire inspection fee.
To register, operators must upload a current Florida DBPR transient public lodging license, a Florida Department of Revenue certificate of registration for sales and tourist taxes, and proof of a Marion County Tax Collector tourist development tax account. A Business Tax Receipt is required for operators of two or more units.
The combined lodging tax is 11.5%: 6% Florida state sales tax, 1.5% local surtax, and 4% Marion County Tourist Development Tax. Occupancy limits follow Florida Fire Prevention Code standards. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) prohibits Dunnellon from capping rental duration or frequency (the ordinance postdates the June 1, 2011 grandfather cutoff). Enforcement is rated moderate, handled through code enforcement on complaint.
Market Comparison
Dunnellon’s April 2026 occupancy of 55.8% is essentially at the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, which is stronger than many comparable small inland Florida markets in April. ADR of $179 is below the national median of approximately $220, consistent with a nature-recreation destination without beach premium pricing.
The seasonality score of 81.8 is the highest in this batch and reflects the year-round occupancy floor provided by snowbird and winter river-recreation demand. This is a meaningful differentiator for investors who need consistent monthly cash flow rather than a concentrated peak season.
Evolve leads local operators with 358 listings and a 4.74 rating (13,225 reviews). A&J Home Concierge holds 160 listings (4.74 rating, 633 reviews). McCormick Management Vacation Rental has 106 listings with the highest rating at 4.84 (3,510 reviews). Village Valet Property Management (102 listings, 4.68 rating) and Down Home Properties (87 listings, 4.69 rating) round out the top five. The presence of several regional operators alongside the national platforms suggests a local management ecosystem suited to a nature-destination market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dunnellon, Florida
What is the average daily rate for Dunnellon, FL vacation rentals?
When is peak season for Dunnellon, FL vacation rentals?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Dunnellon, FL?
What lodging taxes apply to Dunnellon vacation rentals?
What does a Dunnellon vacation rental typically earn per month?
What is the estimated gross yield for a Dunnellon STR investment?
Who are the top property managers in Dunnellon, FL?
Analyze Dunnellon Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Dunnellon.
Free Dunnellon STR Calculator →
