Melbourne Beach, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Space Coast STR market near Melbourne Beach averaged $183 ADR, 50.5% occupancy and $2,638 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Melbourne Beach, 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 Melbourne Beach. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Melbourne Beach.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Melbourne Beach, a barrier island town of 3,273 residents on Brevard County’s Space Coast, using performance data through September 2026. Short term rental performance for this area is tracked at a shared Space Coast level, so every performance number below describes the Space Coast STR market rather than Melbourne Beach alone. Regulations and home values are specific to Melbourne Beach. Bedroom, channel, listing type and top operator breakdowns are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Melbourne Beach, so this profile omits them.
Before the numbers, note the rules: Melbourne Beach requires every rental to register annually under Chapter 74 of the Town Code, enforcement is rated strict, and eligibility in the residential zoning districts is contested. Confirm zoning in writing before buying.
In September 2026 the Space Coast STR market posted an average daily rate of $183 and occupancy of 50.5%. Average monthly revenue per listing was $2,638. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 9.8%, ADR rose 5.1% and revenue rose 10.8%. September is also the seasonal low, with a multi-year September average of 49.5% occupancy and $163 ADR, so this reading comes from the slowest part of the calendar.
The longer record is steady. Average monthly revenue climbed from $1,789 in 2017 to $3,707 in 2025, while ADR moved from $125 to $213. Through the first nine months of 2026, occupancy averages 65.0%, ADR averages $226 and monthly revenue averages $4,032, ahead of the 2025 full year figures of 62.2%, $213 and $3,707. Summing the twelve seasonal months gives annualized revenue of $38,825 per listing.
Demand centers on nature and beach travel. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a major loggerhead and green sea turtle nesting area, and Sebastian Inlet State Park are the main attractions, and the town is quieter and less commercial than nearby Cocoa Beach.
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 Melbourne Beach 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 Melbourne Beach, so these counts are not Melbourne Beach-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 Melbourne Beach?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Melbourne Beach 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 (Melbourne Beach)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Melbourne Beach 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 Melbourne Beach — 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 Melbourne Beach, but the town runs a demanding registration regime. Every rental must register with the Town Clerk under Chapter 74 of the Town Code (the Town of Melbourne Beach Vacation Rental Registration) before operating. Enforcement is rated strict.
The registration fee is $500 and the registration must be renewed annually. The application requires interior and exterior inspections, proof of insurance, a floor plan, a documented maximum occupancy and a designated local responsible party. That party must be reachable by phone around the clock and must respond to complaints within three hours. There is no owner occupancy requirement and no primary residence requirement, and no annual night cap is published.
Zoning is the key risk. Vacation rentals, meaning stays under 30 days, are clearly permitted in the 4-RM and 5-RMO districts, and the 8-B district is also cited. Eligibility in the three residential districts (1-RS, 2-RS and 3-RS) is contested. Ordinance 2020-02, adopted in May 2020, is read by some as opening vacation rental use across districts, while local sources point to zoning unchanged since September 1972 that prohibits STRs in the residential districts. Under section 74-22, registration alone does not make an otherwise prohibited use approved, and the Town advises confirming zoning eligibility in writing before purchasing or listing.
The occupancy tax is listed at 5%. Recent changes include Ordinance 2024-05, further amendments to Chapter 74 and the noise ordinance approved unanimously on February 19, 2025, and the rollout of STR compliance software. Effective October 1, 2025, the Brevard County Clerk of Court took over Tourist Development Tax collection from the Tax Collector.
Market Comparison
In September 2026, the Space Coast STR market posted 50.5% occupancy and a $183 ADR, which looks soft. September is the seasonal low, so the monthly snapshot understates the year.
The year to date numbers tell a different story. Through nine months of 2026, occupancy averages 65.0% and ADR averages $226. The 2025 full year figures were 62.2% occupancy and a $213 ADR. Over the past five years the market has held occupancy between 62.2% and 69.6%.
Growth is also moving in the right direction. Year over year, occupancy rose 9.8%, ADR rose 5.1% and revenue rose 10.8% in September 2026, so the market is recovering from the softer 2023 to 2025 stretch.
The luxury tier, at a $335 ADR, sits well above the all-listings ADR of $183, which shows that high end properties near the coast can command a premium. Top operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Melbourne Beach, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne Beach, Florida
Are short term rentals legal in Melbourne Beach, Florida?
What is the average daily rate for Airbnb rentals near Melbourne Beach?
What is the occupancy rate in the Space Coast STR market?
How much revenue does a short term rental earn on the Space Coast?
What is the best time of year for rentals near Melbourne Beach?
How much does a home cost in Melbourne Beach?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
Analyze Melbourne Beach Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Melbourne Beach.
Free Melbourne Beach STR Calculator →
