Q: Do I need a license to run a short-term rental on Florida’s First Coast?
A: Yes. Every Florida vacation rental needs a state DBPR license if it’s rented more than three times a year for stays under 30 days, plus Florida Department of Revenue registration to collect the 6% state sales tax. On top of that, each county — St. Johns, Nassau, Flagler, and Duval — adds its own certificate, business tax receipt, and tourist tax. St. Simons Island follows Georgia’s separate rules. Casago handles all of it for owners.
Q: What taxes do vacation rental owners pay on the First Coast?
A: Florida owners collect the 6% state sales tax plus a county tourist development tax (typically 5–6% locally) on stays of six months or less, charged to the guest. St. Simons Island owners in Georgia collect a 7% Glynn County accommodation excise tax plus Georgia sales tax. These are usually filed monthly, and platforms don’t always remit the local portion — which is why owners hand the filings to a manager.
Q: Which First Coast county has the strictest short-term rental rules?
A: Flagler County (Palm Coast and Flagler Beach) has the most specific requirements, including a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate with an initial fee around $400, and Flagler Beach layers on zoning restrictions that limit rentals to certain areas. Duval County (Jacksonville Beach) also enforces strict operating standards with fines up to $500 per day. Rules vary meaningfully by market, so each deserves its own checklist.
Q: Does a property manager handle licensing and taxes for me?
A: Yes — full-service management includes it. Casago First Coast applies for the required licenses and certificates, registers your state and county tax accounts, and collects and files your taxes on every reservation across all five markets. Because the rules differ by county and state, having one local team manage compliance everywhere removes the biggest headache of owning a First Coast rental.
