On Aug. 1, 2023, the Bay County Board of County Commissioners passed Ordinance 23-18 concerning registration, reporting, and inspection requirements for vacation rentals operating in the unincorporated areas of the county. In many cases, the ordinance simply solidifies the rules and regulations under which short-term rentals were already operating.
High-rise condominium units and apartment complexes are currently exempt from the requirements of the short-term rental ordinance. Only one, two, three and four-family unit structures are included.
The ordinance mandates that any transient public lodging establishment, defined by state statute as a single-, two-, three-, or four-family house or dwelling, recreational vehicle or mobile home, maintain a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate issued by Bay County.
For additional information on the registration, reporting, and inspection requirements, click here.