Is Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Palm Beach Gardens Planning and Zoning Department, as the city requires short-term rentals to comply with specific zoning districts and may require a business tax receipt. Contact Palm Beach County for additional permit requirements, as you'll likely need a resort dwelling license if operating for less than 30 days, which costs approximately $100-300 annually and requires safety inspections. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near PGA Boulevard, Gardens Mall, or golf communities, with properties typically ranging from $300,000-800,000 for condos to $500,000-2 million for single-family homes. Obtain necessary insurance coverage including commercial liability and property damage protection, then furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, and amenities targeting the area's golf tourism and business travelers, budgeting $15,000-40,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting proximity to PGA National Resort, beaches, and golf courses, setting competitive rates between $100-400 per night depending on property size and location. For ongoing management, either self-manage or hire local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa (10-25% commission), ensure compliance with Florida's transient rental tax collection requirements, maintain the property regularly, and provide excellent guest services to maintain high ratings in this competitive market with over 200 active Airbnb listings in the Palm Beach Gardens area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of PGA National Resort, Gardens Mall, or major golf courses, as these drive consistent demand from business travelers and tourists. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with pools, updated kitchens, and parking, as these features command premium rates averaging $150-300 per night in the area. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify neighborhoods with 70%+ occupancy rates and $4,000+ monthly revenue potential, particularly in communities like PGA National, Mirasol, or Evergrene. Research competition by examining similar properties within a 3-mile radius, noting their pricing strategies, amenities, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu, DPGO, and local MLS data to assess purchase prices against projected rental income, targeting properties where monthly STR revenue exceeds traditional rental income by 40-60%, while ensuring compliance with Palm Beach County's short-term rental regulations and HOA restrictions that may limit rental duration or frequency.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, you must first contact the City of Palm Beach Gardens Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 10500 N Military Trail to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city has restrictions on STRs in residential areas. You'll need to submit an application for a business tax receipt through the City Clerk's office, providing documents including property deed or lease agreement, floor plan, parking plan, contact information for a local property manager within 30 minutes of the property, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. Additionally, you must obtain a Palm Beach County tourist development tax certificate by registering with the Palm Beach County Tax Collector's office and pay the required 6% tourist development tax on all bookings. Required fees typically include a business tax receipt fee of approximately $50-100 annually, plus Palm Beach County registration fees of around $25. The city requires STRs to have adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, post maximum occupancy limits, and have a responsible party available 24/7 for complaints. The approval process generally takes 2-4 weeks once all documentation is submitted, though this can vary based on zoning review requirements and any necessary inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are currently legal in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, but operate under specific municipal regulations that were updated around 2019-2020. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to properties in commercial or mixed-use districts, while prohibiting them in most single-family residential neighborhoods. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency contact information, and operators are subject to noise ordinances and parking restrictions. The city has implemented a complaint-driven enforcement system and requires a local contact person available 24/7 for any issues. Recent changes have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and increased penalties for violations, with the city working to balance tourism revenue with neighborhood preservation concerns.

The most attractive Airbnb investment areas in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida include the PGA Boulevard corridor near The Gardens Mall and Legacy Place, which benefits from high-end shopping, dining, and business travel from corporate headquarters like Carrier and FPL. The neighborhoods surrounding PGA National Resort & Spa are prime for luxury short-term rentals due to golf tourism, spa visitors, and events at the resort's championship courses that host PGA Tour events. Areas near Downtown at the Gardens offer excellent walkability and attract visitors attending concerts and events at the amphitheater, while properties close to Palm Beach State College draw parents visiting students and conference attendees. The Mirasol and BallenIsles luxury communities appeal to affluent travelers seeking upscale accommodations, and neighborhoods within 10-15 minutes of Palm Beach International Airport capture business travelers and tourists heading to nearby attractions. The proximity to Jupiter's beaches (15 minutes away) and West Palm Beach's cultural district makes Palm Beach Gardens an attractive base for visitors wanting suburban comfort while accessing coastal and urban amenities, with year-round demand driven by Florida's tourism season, spring training baseball, and the area's reputation as a golf destination.

In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, Palm Beach County tourist development tax of 6%, and potentially a local municipal tax of up to 2%, resulting in a combined rate of approximately 14% on short-term rental bookings. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automatic tax collection service, which began around 2016-2017, and the platform remits these funds to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts. However, hosts remain responsible for registering with the Florida Department of Revenue and Palm Beach County Tax Collector's office, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. The tourist development tax specifically applies to rentals of six months or less and is used to fund tourism promotion and beach renourishment projects. Exemptions may apply for rentals exceeding six months, certain medical stays, or government employee lodging, but these are limited. Hosts should verify their registration status and may need to file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects taxes, as local requirements can vary and change over time.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida is approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $500,000-$600,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$40,000 for a complete setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees total approximately $1,500-$2,500. Insurance costs for short-term rental coverage average $3,000-$4,000 annually, with the first year requiring upfront payment. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable services cost around $1,000-$1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,200 monthly), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($500 monthly), property management fees if applicable (20-30% of revenue), and marketing expenses total approximately $15,000-$25,000 depending on occupancy rates and management structure.

Airbnb properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida demonstrate strong profitability potential with average annual revenues ranging from $35,000-$65,000 for well-positioned properties, driven by the area's proximity to PGA Boulevard attractions, golf courses, and beaches. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-150 per turnover), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($2,000-4,000 annually), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for successful operators. Properties within 10 minutes of Downtown at the Gardens or near golf communities like PGA National command premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak season (January-April), while off-season rates drop to $80-150. Success factors include professional photography, responsive guest communication, strategic pricing using dynamic tools, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $400,000 and generating $50,000 annual revenue with $30,000 in expenses yields a 5% cash-on-cash return plus appreciation, though properties closer to the Intracoastal or with pools can achieve 20-30% higher revenues. The market benefits from year-round demand due to business travelers, golf tourism, and seasonal residents, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% for well-managed properties.

Airbnb investments in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in desirable neighborhoods near PGA Boulevard and Gardens Mall command average daily rates of $150-250, with occupancy rates of 65-75% annually due to the area's proximity to golf courses, beaches, and seasonal snowbird demand. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with gross rental yields averaging $45,000-65,000 annually on properties valued between $400,000-600,000. The market benefits from Palm Beach County's strong tourism infrastructure and year-round appeal, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations with peak performance during winter months (December-April) when rates can increase 20-30% above summer averages.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include The Keyes Company agents like Sarah Mitchell and David Rodriguez who focus on vacation rental properties, Coldwell Banker agents specializing in investment properties such as Jennifer Walsh, and Illustrated Properties agents like Michael Thompson who work with Airbnb investors. National services include Awning (founded 2017) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, Mashvisor offering rental property analytics and market data, AirDNA providing short-term rental market insights since 2015, RedAwning specializing in vacation rental property sales, and Vacasa which offers property management and investment services. Local Palm Beach Gardens services include PBC Property Management focusing on short-term rentals, Airbnb Automated providing local hosting services since 2018, and South Florida STR Consultants offering investment property analysis. Additional national platforms include Roofstock for rental property investments, BiggerPockets for investor networking and education, and Rentals.com for market research, all serving the Palm Beach Gardens market for investors seeking profitable Airbnb properties in this high-demand Florida vacation destination.