New vacation rental licenses in Bay County, FL
Bay County approved 128 new vacation rental licenses in September, up 75% from July's 73, and 367 since July 1, 2026: the 2nd most of Florida's 67 counties.
Bay County is open: every new license in the county each weekday for $1,200 a month, one property manager only. Claim Bay, or get a free sample first.
Month by month
New vacation rental licenses in Bay County since July 1, 2026. Statewide numbers are in the monthly report.
Mostly condos
61% of Bay County's new licenses since July were condos, against 26% statewide. Expect association rules, building amenities and on-site check-in questions on the first call.
More owners from out of state
16% of new licenses here list a mailing address outside Florida, against 9% statewide. Out-of-state owners can't be there for turnovers, which often makes them quick to hire a manager.
Panama City Beach leads the county
Panama City Beach had 321 of the county's 367 new licenses since July (87%). Panama City was next with 41.
In the owner's own name
90% of Bay County's new licenses were single licenses in the owner's name rather than under a management company's license.
Top towns
New licenses since July 1, 2026, by the town on the rental's address.
| Rank | Town | Licenses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panama City Beach | 321 |
| 2 | Panama City | 41 |
| 3 | Mexico Beach | 3 |
| 4 | Lynn Haven | 2 |
Tax on a short stay in Bay County
- Florida sales tax
- 6%
- Bay County surtax
- 1%
- Bay County tourist development tax
- 5%
- Total on a short stay
- 12%
For stays of six months or less. Bay County collects its tourist tax itself, so owners (or their manager) register with the county as well as with the Florida Department of Revenue. The tourist tax applies in the county's tourist development district, not countywide.
Rates for 2026 from the Florida Department of Revenue and the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. Cities can add their own rules; check before you take a home on.
Questions
Nearby: Walton County. Every county is in the monthly license report.
How many vacation rentals are licensed in Bay County each month?
About 95 a month since July 1, 2026: 367 in all through October 25. In September 2026 the state approved 128.
Which towns in Bay County license the most vacation rentals?
Panama City Beach (321), Panama City (41), Mexico Beach (3), Lynn Haven (2) since July 1, 2026.
What's the tax on a vacation rental stay in Bay County?
12% for stays of six months or less: Florida's 6% sales tax, Bay County's 1% surtax and its 5% tourist development tax (2026 rates). The tourist tax applies in the county's tourist development district, not countywide.
How do I get Bay County's new vacation rental owners?
FiledToday sends one property manager per county the new licenses each weekday, with the owner's name, the rental's address, the owner's mailing address and a phone number for most. It is $1,200 a month for Bay County. Start with a free sample above.
About the data. Initial vacation rental licenses (condo and dwelling) the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation approved for rentals in Bay County, by approval date, from the state's public new lodging license file. One license can cover more than one unit. Out-of-state share uses the mailing address on the license.
See your county's new owners.
Pick Bay County (or any county) and we'll email its new vacation rental licenses from the last two weeks, with owner phone numbers, in about 15 minutes.
One property manager per county. See open counties and prices.