In Tampa, possibly; in St. Petersburg, generally not. As of October 2026, the City of Tampa has said ADUs may be used as short-term rentals because state law limits local control of vacation rentals. St. Petersburg requires rentals of 30 days or more, with shorter stays allowed only three times in a 365-day period.
What is Tampa's position?
August 2026 coverage reported that the city has said ADUs may be used as short-term rentals because Florida law limits how cities regulate vacation rentals. An older city ADU FAQ, from December 2022, treated stays under a week as lodging not allowed in residential districts. Because those two positions differ, confirm the current rule with the city before you plan around nightly income.
What does St. Petersburg allow?
The city ADU page sets residential rentals at 30 days or longer, with shorter rentals allowed only three times in any 365 consecutive days, and states that Airbnb and VRBO-style short-term rentals are not allowed. If both the house and the ADU are rented, a Business Tax Certificate is required.
What does state law say?
Florida Statutes s. 509.032(7)(b) bars local laws that prohibit vacation rentals or regulate how long or how often they are rented, except local rules adopted on or before June 1, 2011. Cities can still regulate vacation rentals in other ways. Whether a particular local rule survives is a question for a Florida attorney.
What licenses do short stays need?
A unit rented more than three times a year for stays under 30 days is generally a transient rental under Florida law, which calls for a license from DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants and the collection of state and county tourist taxes.
What about the owner-on-site rule?
Tampa requires the owner to live on the property. A short-term guest in the ADU still leaves you living in the main house, which makes the arrangement closer to home sharing.
When could an HOA or lender still say no?
It depends on your documents. A deed restriction, an HOA rule, a mortgage clause or an insurance policy can each limit short stays even where the city does not. Read them, then check with the city or county and an attorney before furnishing for nightly guests.
Related
Sources, as of October 2026: Business Observer, "Tampa homeowners turn to backyard units as housing costs climb" (August 2026); City of Tampa ADU FAQ (December 2022); City of St. Petersburg ADU page; Florida Statutes s. 509.032(7)(b) and Florida Attorney General Opinion 2022-01.
Updated October 2026