Can I Airbnb a Home in Key West? What Buyers Need to Know

**Yes—but not every Key West property can legally be rented short term.** In the City of Key West, the Licensing Division treats residential rentals of **28 days or less as transient** and rentals that may not be rented for less than **29 days at a time as non-transient**. A buyer should verify the exact property, current license status, zoning, and private restrictions before relying on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other short-term-rental income.

Can any Key West home be listed on Airbnb?

No.

A Key West address does not automatically qualify for nightly or weekly rentals. The City of Key West requires residential rental properties to have a City Business Tax Receipt, and its Licensing Division separates residential rentals into two primary categories:

• **Transient:** 28 days or less.
• **Non-transient:** may not be rented for less than 29 days at a time.

That means a buyer should never assume that a property can be used as a short-term rental simply because it has been rented before, appears on a vacation-rental website, or sits near other transient rentals.

See the City of Key West Licensing FAQs.

What is a Key West transient rental license?

The City regulates transient rentals through its local licensing and land-use rules. The City identifies **transient rental medallions** as regulatory licenses that support a primary Business Tax Receipt.

The City also publishes a map and address list of currently licensed transient rental properties.

For a buyer, the practical rule is simple: **verify the current status of the specific property rather than relying on marketing language or past rental history.**

See the City's Transient Licensed Properties.

Does zoning alone determine whether a home can be rented transiently?

No.

The Key West Planning Department identifies HRCC-1, HRCC-3, HCT, HNC-1 and HNC-3 as zoning districts where transient use may be allowed, subject to the City's rules. The City also states that zoning, parking, density requirements and the current cap on new transient licenses can make conversion of residential property to transient use very difficult, if not impossible.

An eligible zoning district is therefore **not proof** that a particular property can begin operating as a short-term rental.

See the City of Key West Planning Department.

What should a buyer verify before relying on Airbnb income?

Before making an offer based on short-term rental income, verify:

• The property's current City of Key West transient-rental status.
• The applicable City Business Tax Receipt.
• Any transient rental medallion or regulatory license associated with the property.
• The property's zoning and whether transient use is permitted.
• Whether a sale or ownership change affects any required license or approval.
• Condominium, homeowners-association, deed, or other private rental restrictions.
• Applicable Florida licensing requirements.

If the rental rights materially affect your purchase decision, confirm them directly with the City before relying on projected income.

How can I verify a specific property?

Start with the City's public transient-rental map and address list, then confirm the current status directly with the City Licensing Division.

The City's transient-property page directs questions about the number of licenses issued for a property to the Licensing Department at **305-809-3959**.

For a purchase, treat that verification as a due-diligence item.

What about a 29-day rental?

This is where it is important to separate **City of Key West rules from Florida state lodging rules**.

For City licensing purposes, the City Licensing Division says non-transient rentals may not be rented for less than **29 days at a time**, while transient rentals are **28 days or less**.

Florida DBPR uses a separate state definition for transient public lodging that generally covers stays of **less than 30 days or one month**. So a 29-day rental can be non-transient under the City's residential-rental classification while still requiring separate state-level licensing analysis.

Do not assume one rule automatically satisfies the other.

See the Florida DBPR vacation-rental licensing guide.

Can I simply get a new transient license after buying?

Do not assume that you can.

The City Planning Department states that the current cap on new transient licenses, together with zoning, parking and density restrictions, can make conversion from residential to transient use very difficult, if not impossible.

If transient rental income is central to your purchase, the safer approach is to verify that the specific property already has the necessary legal ability to operate that way before you make the offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I rent my Key West home for a weekend without transient authorization?

No. Weekend rentals fall within the City's transient category and require the applicable authorization.

### Is a 28-day rental transient in Key West?

According to the City of Key West Licensing Division, yes. Its current FAQ categorizes rentals of **28 days or less** as transient.

### Is a 29-day rental non-transient in Key West?

Under the City's Licensing Division FAQ, yes: non-transient rentals may not be rented for less than **29 days at a time**. Separate Florida DBPR requirements can still apply because the state uses a different lodging definition.

### Where can I see currently licensed transient rentals?

The City publishes a map and address list of transient licensed properties on its official website.

The bottom line

A Key West property can be operated as an Airbnb or other short-term rental only when the specific property is legally authorized for that use and all applicable licensing and private-property requirements are satisfied.

For City of Key West purposes, remember the key local distinction: **28 days or less is transient; 29 days or more is non-transient under the City's Licensing Division guidance.**

If short-term-rental income is part of your purchase decision, verify the property's current status before you make the offer.