Is Treasure Island, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Treasure Island, Florida, begin by researching local regulations as the city requires short-term rental properties to obtain a Certificate of Use from the Building Department and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to residential areas. Contact Treasure Island City Hall at 120 108th Avenue to verify current ordinances and obtain the necessary Certificate of Use application, which costs approximately $100-200 and requires property inspection. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with vacation rental regulations, focusing on areas zoned for short-term rentals and considering proximity to beaches and attractions. Once you secure a property, furnish it with coastal-themed, durable furniture and essential amenities including high-quality linens, kitchen supplies, beach equipment, and reliable Wi-Fi, budgeting $15,000-25,000 for a complete setup. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO with professional photography highlighting the beach location and local attractions such as Treasure Island Beach and nearby St. Pete Beach. For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, implement keyless entry systems, maintain responsive communication with guests, and consider hiring local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if you're not local, which typically charge 15-25% of rental income for full-service management including cleaning, maintenance, and guest communication.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Treasure Island, Florida, focus on beachfront or beach-view locations within walking distance of the Gulf beaches, particularly along Gulf Boulevard and side streets near popular beach access points. Target 2-4 bedroom condos or single-family homes built after 1990 with updated kitchens, multiple bathrooms, parking spaces, and amenities like pools or beach access, as these command premium rates of $150-400 per night depending on season and proximity to water. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating $40,000-80,000 annually, comparing cap rates of 6-10% typical for the area, while researching competition density through Airbnb and VRBO searches to find neighborhoods with under 30% STR saturation. Study seasonal demand patterns showing peak rates December-April and summer months, with shoulder seasons offering acquisition opportunities, and utilize tools like Rabbu, PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, and local MLS data through Realtor.com to identify properties under $500,000 that meet the city's STR regulations requiring business tax receipts and compliance with occupancy limits.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Treasure Island, Florida, you must first apply through the City of Treasure Island's Building Department located at 120 108th Avenue, as the city requires a Short-Term Rental License for properties rented for less than 30 days. Required documents include a completed STR application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing required spaces, contact information for a local representative within 30 minutes of the property, general liability insurance certificate of at least $500,000, and a business tax receipt from Pinellas County. The application fee is approximately $150 annually, with additional inspection fees of around $75. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing once all documents are submitted and the property passes inspection. Specific Treasure Island requirements include maintaining a maximum occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), ensuring the local representative is available 24/7 for emergency response, displaying the STR license number in all advertisements, and adhering to noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM. Properties must also comply with all zoning regulations, building codes, and fire safety requirements, and owners must renew their license annually while maintaining current insurance and business tax receipts.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Treasure Island, Florida, but operate under specific municipal regulations that require property owners to obtain a short-term rental license and comply with various operational requirements. The city allows STRs in most residential zones but imposes restrictions including occupancy limits based on property size, mandatory parking requirements, noise ordinances, and designated quiet hours typically from 10 PM to 8 AM. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency contact information posted on-site. Treasure Island requires STR operators to collect and remit local tourist development taxes, maintain liability insurance, and respond to complaints within specified timeframes. The city has implemented stricter enforcement measures since approximately 2019-2020, including increased fines for violations and more rigorous inspection processes. Some areas near the beach or in certain residential neighborhoods may have additional density restrictions or conditional use requirements. Recent changes have focused on balancing tourism revenue with resident quality of life concerns, including enhanced noise enforcement and stricter occupancy monitoring, though STRs remain a permitted use when properly licensed and operated in compliance with city ordinances.

Treasure Island, Florida offers several prime areas for Airbnb investment, with the Gulf Boulevard corridor being the most lucrative due to its direct beachfront access and proximity to popular attractions like Sunset Beach, which draws year-round tourists seeking pristine white sand beaches and spectacular sunsets. The Treasure Island Beach area near 108th Avenue is particularly attractive because of its central location between St. Pete Beach and Madeira Beach, capturing overflow from both destinations while offering lower property costs than St. Pete Beach. The residential neighborhoods along 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues provide excellent investment opportunities as they're within walking distance of the beach but offer more affordable acquisition prices, appealing to families and groups seeking spacious accommodations. The area near Treasure Island Park and Recreation Center attracts visitors attending local events and tournaments, while properties close to the Treasure Island Causeway benefit from easy access for business travelers visiting nearby St. Petersburg's corporate district. The northern section near Madeira Beach boundary is ideal due to proximity to John's Pass Boardwalk, a major tourist attraction with restaurants, shopping, and fishing charters, ensuring consistent rental demand from visitors seeking entertainment and dining options within walking distance.

Airbnb properties in Treasure Island, Florida are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Florida's state transient rental tax of 6%, Pinellas County's tourist development tax of 5%, and potentially a local municipal tax of up to 4%. The total combined rate typically ranges from 11-15% depending on specific local ordinances. These taxes are generally collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Florida around 2017. Airbnb remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate state and local tax authorities on behalf of hosts. However, hosts remain responsible for registering with the Florida Department of Revenue and obtaining necessary business tax receipts from Treasure Island, and may need to file returns even when Airbnb collects taxes. Exemptions typically include stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. Some properties may qualify for exemptions if used for permanent residency or specific business purposes, but standard vacation rental properties generally do not qualify for exemptions from these occupancy taxes.

To start an Airbnb in Treasure Island, Florida, expect total costs around $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $550,000-$600,000 based on median home prices for beachfront condos and single-family homes in this popular Gulf Coast destination. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$35,000 for a complete beach-themed setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor suitable for vacation rentals. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials cost around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but budget $1,500-$2,500 for business licenses, vacation rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance costs approximately $3,000-$4,000 annually for comprehensive coverage including liability and property protection. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable total roughly $1,000-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200), cleaning services ($2,400), maintenance ($1,500), property management software ($300), and marketing ($1,000) add approximately $6,400. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees ($2,000-$4,000 for six months) and emergency repair fund ($5,000) bringing the comprehensive startup investment to the upper range of the estimate.

Airbnb properties in Treasure Island, Florida demonstrate strong profitability potential with average annual revenues ranging from $35,000-$65,000 for well-positioned units, driven by the area's year-round tourism appeal and proximity to St. Pete Beach. A typical 2-bedroom beachfront condo generating $55,000 annually faces expenses of approximately $28,000-$32,000 including mortgage payments ($18,000), property management fees (15-20% of revenue), utilities ($2,400), insurance ($3,500), maintenance ($2,000), and city licensing fees ($500), resulting in net profit margins of 40-50%. Success factors include proximity to the beach (properties within 2 blocks command 25-30% higher rates), professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, and maintaining high guest ratings above 4.7 stars. Properties like beachfront condos at Sunset Beach Resort have achieved occupancy rates of 75-80% with average daily rates of $180-220 during peak season (December-April) and $120-150 in off-season, while inland properties typically see 60-70% occupancy at $100-140 daily rates. The market benefits from Treasure Island's family-friendly reputation, walkable beach access, and strong repeat visitor base, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations and increasing competition from new STR properties entering the market.

Airbnb investments in Treasure Island, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% based on current market conditions. Properties in this Gulf Coast destination benefit from year-round tourism demand, with peak seasons driving nightly rates of $150-300 for beachfront condos and $200-450 for single-family homes. Investment properties generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, assuming 65-75% occupancy rates and average daily rates of $180-220. The market has shown consistent growth since 2019, with companies like Vacasa and RedAwning reporting strong performance metrics for short-term rentals in the Tampa Bay barrier island communities. Cash-on-cash returns are optimized when investors purchase properties under $400,000 with 20-25% down payments, allowing for positive cash flow within the first year of operation while building long-term equity appreciation of 4-6% annually in this established vacation rental market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, including in Treasure Island, Florida. Local real estate agents who focus on Airbnb investment properties in the area include Gulf Beaches Realty Group, Coldwell Banker Realty's vacation rental specialists, and RE/MAX agents who specialize in beach property investments. National services that help investors find profitable Airbnb properties include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which provides rental property analytics, AirDNA (established 2015) for market data and revenue projections, and Awning (launched 2017) for full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition assistance. Additional local services include Treasure Island Property Management Company, which offers investment property consultation, and several independent real estate investors like Beach Property Advisors who help clients identify high-performing vacation rental opportunities in the Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach markets, with many of these services emerging between 2015-2020 as the short-term rental market expanded.