Gulf Breeze, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
The Pensacola area STR market earned a $299 ADR, 59.3% occupancy and $4,774 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Gulf Breeze, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Pensacola market area is 59%. average monthly revenue in the Pensacola market area is $4,774. average daily rate in the Pensacola market area is $299. the top operator in the Pensacola market area is Vacasa with 474 listings. market score is 82/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Pensacola regional market, which includes Gulf Breeze. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Gulf Breeze.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This page covers Gulf Breeze, Florida, using the Pensacola area STR market, a shared metric series. Every performance number below refers to the Pensacola area STR market for September 2026, not to Gulf Breeze alone. Gulf Breeze sits on the Fairpoint Peninsula between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, about 10 minutes from the beach via the Bob Sikes Bridge, and has a population of 6,955.
In September 2026 the Pensacola area STR market averaged an ADR of $299 across all listings and $304 for entire homes. Occupancy was 59.3%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $4,774. Year over year, occupancy rose 17.5%, ADR rose 5.8%, and revenue rose 18.9%, so growth came mostly from more booked nights rather than rate increases alone.
The 2026 year to date figures cover nine months and show 65.0% occupancy, a $310 ADR, and $5,572 in average monthly revenue. For comparison, full year 2025 posted 58.3% occupancy, a $285 ADR, and $4,736 in monthly revenue. The market’s earlier high for occupancy was 67.2% in 2021, when monthly revenue averaged $4,270, so 2026 is running near that occupancy peak with a much higher ADR.
Bedroom, channel, and listing type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Gulf Breeze, so this profile omits them.
Demand drivers nearby include Pensacola Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore (Naval Live Oaks), the Gulf Breeze Zoo, and Santa Rosa Sound, which supports kayaking, fishing, and dolphin viewing. Most visitors are leisure travelers who drive in from the Southeast, with the strongest demand in summer and spring. No city specific annual visitor count is published for Gulf Breeze. Regional tourism is tracked by Visit Pensacola for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 40% |
| Feb | 62% |
| Mar | 70% |
| Apr | 58% |
| May | 69% |
| Jun | 81% |
| Jul | 80% |
| Aug | 56% |
| Sep | 55% |
| Oct | 56% |
| Nov | 43% |
| Dec | 38% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Gulf Breeze are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Pensacola market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Pensacola market as a whole, which includes Gulf Breeze, so these counts are not Gulf Breeze-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 474 | 22,239 | ★ 4.51 |
| 2 | Premier Island Management Group | 434 | 7,989 | ★ 4.75 |
| 3 | Southern Vacation Rentals by Vtrips | 371 | 10,594 | ★ 4.52 |
| 4 | Luxury Coatal Vacation Rentlas | 355 | 10,788 | ★ 4.78 |
| 5 | Paradise Beach Homes | 264 | 12,547 | ★ 4.77 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Gulf Breeze?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Gulf Breeze 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 | 23.7% |
| vrbo | 13.4% |
| both | 62.9% |
Home Value Trends (Gulf Breeze)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Gulf Breeze 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 Gulf Breeze — 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 Gulf Breeze, and registration is required. The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 05-2024 on November 18, 2024 (Code Chapter 6, Article VI, Sections 6-200 to 6-204), creating the city’s first formal Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) registration program. Before that, Gulf Breeze had no registration system. Guidance and a zoning map were published in December 2024.
Owners must obtain an STVR Registration Certificate before operating. The fee is $40 and the certificate renews annually. Owners must be reachable by phone 24 hours a day for emergencies. Supporting documents include the property deed from the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser, a government issued ID, a Santa Rosa County Business Tax Receipt, Articles of Incorporation or Fictitious Name registration where applicable through Sunbiz, and a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental Dwelling License. The Fire Department and Community Services inspect the property to confirm minimum fire and life safety standards.
STRs are allowed only in zoning districts shown on the city’s Short-Term Rental Zoning Map, so certain residential areas may be restricted. Check the map before buying. There is no owner occupancy requirement, no primary residence requirement, and no cap on rental nights. Florida law (Chapter 509) prevents cities from banning vacation rentals outright.
Guests pay a 5% Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Tax, remitted monthly to the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court, plus Florida state sales tax and any local surtax. Enforcement is rated moderate, as the ordinance focuses on communication, transparency, and neighbor safety rather than penalties. Rules change, so confirm with the city before operating.
Market Comparison
The Pensacola area STR market posted September 2026 occupancy of 59.3% and an all listings ADR of $299. Entire homes at $304 are higher still.
The premium widens at the top of the market. Luxury listings at $437 are 46.4% above the all listings ADR, and professionally managed listings at $358 are 19.8% above it. That matters for investors weighing a self managed unit against one run by a professional team.
Growth also stands out. Occupancy is up 17.5% and revenue is up 18.9% year over year, with 2026 year to date occupancy at 65.0%.
The market is seasonal, though. December occupancy of 38.2% sits far below June at 81.2%, so annual results depend on capturing the summer months. Top operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Gulf Breeze, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gulf Breeze, Florida
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Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Gulf Breeze?
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