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Taxes›Florida›Bay County›Panama City

Panama City
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Panama City, Florida. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

Rental conditions are recorded in Panama City
STRs allowed only in listed zoning districts: R-1, R-2, UR-1, UR-2, MH-1, MU-2, MU-3, DTD, StAD, CHD per city fact sheet.
Find published guidance for your Panama City address
Check published permit and tax guidance for Panama City.

What you need to do in Panama City

Checked against the source
  1. To do
    Meet the local rental conditions

    STRs allowed only in listed zoning districts: R-1, R-2, UR-1, UR-2, MH-1, MU-2, MU-3, DTD, StAD, CHD per city fact sheet.

  2. To do
    Get the Panama City short-term rental license or registration

    The record does not state the fee or term. The licensing office lists both.

    Where to apply

  3. To do
    Register for your Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

    State source

  4. To do
    Collect and remit the 5% Bay County occupancy tax yourself

    The record says booking platforms do not collect it, so you add it to every booking, platform and direct, and pay it to the authority.

  5. To do
    File monthly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each monthly Panama City return is due

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What to know.

STRs allowed only in listed zoning districts: R-1, R-2, UR-1, UR-2, MH-1, MU-2, MU-3, DTD, StAD, CHD per city fact sheet. The published guide for Panama City lists 5% county occupancy tax. The state table lists a 6% Florida state sales tax in addition. County discretionary sales surtax and local transient rental taxes may apply in addition. Total for a direct booking: 11% (5% Bay County occupancy tax + 6% Florida state sales tax). This is the recorded part only; other taxes may apply. The record also lists a district levy that applies only inside its district: PCB has separate city registration; ; combined 12% applies only inside the special taxing district ZIPs. Confirm whether your address is in it. The rate depends on location: TDT applies ONLY in Panama City Beach-area ZIPs 32401/32404/32405/32407/32408/32410/part of 32413 (rest of county 0% TDT). Confirm the rate for your address. State registration applies even when a platform collects the tax: Florida sales tax account. A license or registration is required.

At a glance.

County tax
5%
State tax
6%
Total for a direct booking
11% or more
License
Required
Local filing
You collect and remit
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Bay County: Recorded exemptions

Applies to the rental or lease of living, sleeping, or housekeeping accommodations for a term of six months or less; the local tax is in addition to the 6% state sales tax and any applicable discretionary sales surtax (FL DOR DR-15TDT, R. 10/26).

Bay County: Recorded remittance instructions

Bay County Tax Collector's Office from October 1, 2026 (https://baycountyfltax.gov/TDT/), taking over from the Clerk of Court; the Clerk's notice says the current tax-reporting system will remain the same: the GovOS portal https://baycounty.munirevs.com/

Bay County: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Monthly.

Bay County: County tax applicability

The county tax is shown separately from municipal tax.

Source for these notes: baycoclerk.com: tourist development tax

Platform tax collection guidance for Panama City

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
VrboPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
Booking.comPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
DirectYou collect and remitYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply for the required license or registration with the licensing office before you list.

  • Collection of the 5% county tax

    You collect and remit this tax using the linked filing instructions.

  • File your tax returns

    File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

  • Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

  • Check the state tax requirements

    Use the linked state tax instructions to register and file.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Bay County occupancy tax5%
Source
Source linked
Florida state sales tax6%
Source
Source linked
Florida sales tax accountState requirement
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Panama City STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Panama City occupancy taxes?

You collect and remit this tax for Airbnb and direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Panama City?

A license or registration is required.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.