City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Crystal River, FL
How Crystal River regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here are subject to registration, a lodging tax, or a small number of operating rules.
- Duration limit in the code: 'resort housing units' (dwellings rented for less than 3 consecutive months) are permitted only on properties previously zoned 'CW' (Commercial Waterfront); in all other zones dwellings 'may not be made available for rental or occupancy for periods of less than three (3) consecutive months'
- The duration limit now sits in the 2025–2026 form-based Community Development Code (Appendix A, Section 5, Ord. No. 25-O-12, §1, 8-25-2025). It was repealed and re-enacted after 2011-06-01, so it does not count as a pre-2011 grandfathered supply device
- under FL lens, a duration limit re-enacted post-2011 is preempted by Fla. Stat. §509.032(7)(b) unless a continuous pre-2011 grandfather chain is proven; that chain is not in the primary codifier
- state DBPR vacation-rental license + local BTR + tourist-development tax (general/process)
Based on: City of Crystal River Community Development Code = Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (form-based UC/UN/SN zone scheme).
Summary of the rule
Crystal River Community Development Code (Appendix A), Section 5 Uses & Parking, Resort Housing supplemental standards: "An occupational license is required for the manager, whether an individual owner with a single unit, or a property management company." The code has no 'vacation rental' or 'tourist' provision and no STR-specific registration, permit or inspection program — the only local STR requirement is a general occupational license (BTR). The code's one-week/three-month duration device was repealed and re-enacted in the 2025 form-based CDC (Ord. 25-O-12, 8-25-2025), so it is preempted under FL §509.032(7)(b). What applies: the general occupational license, the state DBPR license, and the Citrus County tourist-development tax — none of them STR-specific. No STR-specific process and no in-force supply device.
Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Crystal River · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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