Lake Placid, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
In September 2026, the Highlands County STR market averaged $162 ADR, 39.7% occupancy and $1,731 monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Lake Placid, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Florida South Central Area market area is 40%. average monthly revenue in the Florida South Central Area market area is $1,731. average daily rate in the Florida South Central Area market area is $162. the top operator in the Florida South Central Area market area is Evolve with 91 listings. market score is 56/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Florida South Central Area regional market, which includes Lake Placid. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lake Placid.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Lake Placid sits in Highlands County, and the short-term rental figures on this page describe the Highlands County STR market, which Lake Placid shares with Sebring. Performance numbers are tracked at that shared regional level. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are also tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lake Placid, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the Highlands County STR market recorded an average daily rate of $162 and occupancy of 39.7%, with average monthly revenue of $1,731. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 1.1%, ADR rose 4.3%, and revenue fell 1.2%. September is a seasonally soft month here, and the 39.7% reading sits below the 45.0% September average in the seasonal series.
Over a longer horizon, the market has matured. Average monthly revenue was $1,185 in 2017 and reached $2,517 in 2022, when occupancy was 60.7%. Occupancy then settled near 52% in 2024 and 2025 while ADR kept climbing, from $165 in 2023 to $171 in 2025. Through the first nine months of 2026, ADR averages $178, occupancy 50.7%, and monthly revenue $2,518.
The demand base is specific. Sebring International Raceway hosts the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring each March and more than 300 days of on-track activity a year. Anglers travel to Lake Istokpoga and Lake Okeechobee for bass fishing, and agritourism draws visitors to citrus, caladium, and winery operations. Lake Placid calls itself the Caladium Capital of the US. The inland location and lower price points appeal to outdoor recreation seekers and budget-conscious travelers rather than coastal beach tourists.
Regulation is light. Florida state law preempts most local bans on vacation rentals, so the main requirement is a state license.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 67% |
| Feb | 79% |
| Mar | 65% |
| Apr | 44% |
| May | 46% |
| Jun | 51% |
| Jul | 53% |
| Aug | 44% |
| Sep | 45% |
| Oct | 51% |
| Nov | 52% |
| Dec | 55% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Lake Placid are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Florida South Central Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Florida South Central Area market as a whole, which includes Lake Placid, so these counts are not Lake Placid-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 91 | 2,382 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 20 | 497 | ★ 4.60 |
| 3 | Jeeves Florida Rentals | 15 | 43 | ★ 4.63 |
| 4 | RedAwning | 5 | 104 | ★ 4.86 |
| 5 | Midtown Stays | 3 | 21 | ★ 4.67 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lake Placid?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Lake Placid 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 | 46.9% |
| vrbo | 9.9% |
| both | 43.3% |
Home Value Trends (Lake Placid)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Lake Placid 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 Lake Placid — 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 Lake Placid and across the surrounding South Central Florida Heartland region. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts local governments from banning vacation rentals or restricting rental duration or frequency, unless a local ordinance predates June 1, 2011. Highlands County and its neighbors have not enacted pre-2011 bans, and the research rates enforcement severity as minimal.
A Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License is required at the state level. The first year costs about $230, and the license renews annually. No additional county registration is required in Highlands County as of the research date. Neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required, and no annual night cap applies.
Highlands County charges a 5% tourist development tax, effective August 1, 2023 under Ordinance 22-23-24. Combined with state and local sales taxes and surtaxes, the total transient rental tax rate is 12.5%.
Local governments keep authority over noise, parking, occupancy limits, trash, safety inspections, and 24/7 responsible-party requirements. Individual municipalities may add registration requirements, so hosts should verify city-level rules in Lake Placid before listing.
A 2024 legislative effort (HB 1537 and SB 280) to centralize more STR regulation under DBPR was vetoed by the governor in June 2024, leaving the existing framework unchanged.
Market Comparison
In the latest month, the Highlands County STR market ran at 39.7% occupancy and a $162 ADR, below its own 2026 year to date figures of 50.7% occupancy and a $178 ADR.
The market’s strength is entry cost rather than headline rate. The typical home value of $240,817 is moderate, and the permitting environment is among the least restrictive in Florida, with a state license costing about $230 in the first year and no night cap or owner occupancy rule.
The premium tiers show where outperformance is possible. Professionally managed listings average a $231 ADR and luxury listings $275, both well above the $162 market average. Peak months also compare well, with February occupancy at 79.0%, far above the September reading of 39.7%.
The market is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lake Placid, so this profile omits top operator names. Investors who want to compare operators should review active listings near Lake Placid directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Placid, Florida
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