Q: Do I need a license to run a short-term rental in St. Augustine?
A: Yes. A short-term rental in the St. Augustine and St. Johns County area needs a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, registration with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax, and a St. Johns County Business Tax Receipt. St. Johns County also requires you to register and collect the local Tourist Development Tax from guests. Casago sets up your licensing and files your taxes as part of full-service management.
Q: What taxes do I owe on a St. Augustine vacation rental?
A: You collect Florida’s 6% state sales tax plus the St. Johns County Tourist Development Tax on every stay of six months or less, both charged to the guest. These are remitted regularly — and while some platforms remit the state portion, the county tourist tax is typically the owner’s responsibility. Casago’s in-house accounting team collects and files all of it for you
Q: Where can I run a short-term rental in St. Johns County?
A: Short-term rentals are broadly allowed across St. Johns County, but individual zoning, HOA, and condo-association rules can still restrict them. Florida’s state preemption limits how far local governments can ban rentals outright, but private restrictions remain enforceable. Always confirm your specific parcel’s zoning and any HOA rules before listing.
Q: Can a property manager handle St. Augustine licensing and taxes for me?
A: Yes — this is exactly what full-service management covers. Casago First Coast applies for the necessary licenses, registers your tax accounts, and collects and files your state sales and county tourist taxes on every reservation, so you never have to track a filing deadline or a rule change. It’s part of our owner-centric, seven-guarantee approach.
