Okeechobee, Florida

Short-term rentals under 30 days are legal in and around Okeechobee. Florida state law (FS 509.032) prevents local governments from banning STRs or dictating how often or how long a property can be rented, so there is no outright prohibition.

In May 2026, the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted its first-ever local short-term rental ordinance. Owners renting properties for fewer than 30 days must now register their property annually and pass an inspection. The county may set a maximum occupancy limit based on unit size. Every rental must have functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, and the owner or a designated responsible party must be reachable by phone day or night. Violations can result in revocation of the certificate of registration.

Separately, operators must hold a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, register with the Florida Department of Revenue, and collect and remit the 6% state sales tax plus the county’s 3% Tourist Development (bed) tax on stays of six months or less, a combined roughly 9% before any additional local sales tax layers. The bed tax is state-administered, reported and remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue rather than directly to the county.

There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no annual night cap. Enforcement is rated moderate: registration, inspection, and safety compliance are now mandatory, but the framework is registration-based rather than restrictive. Because this ordinance is brand new, buyers should confirm current registration and inspection requirements directly with the county before purchasing.