New vacation rental licenses in Walton County, FL
Walton County approved 39 new vacation rental licenses in September, down 26% from July's 53, and 162 since July 1, 2026: the 9th most of Florida's 67 counties.
Walton County is open: every new license in the county each weekday for $800 a month, one property manager only. Claim Walton, or get a free sample first.
Month by month
New vacation rental licenses in Walton County since July 1, 2026. Statewide numbers are in the monthly report.
Almost all houses
88% of Walton County's new licenses since July were houses, against 74% statewide. Pools, yards and turnovers are the pitch.
More owners from out of state
17% 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.
Santa Rosa Beach leads the county
Santa Rosa Beach had 76 of the county's 162 new licenses since July (47%). Miramar Beach was next with 41.
In the owner's own name
88% of Walton 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 | Santa Rosa Beach | 76 |
| 2 | Miramar Beach | 41 |
| 3 | Inlet Beach | 32 |
| 4 | Panama City Beach | 4 |
| 5 | Rosemary Beach | 3 |
| 6 | Destin | 2 |
| 7 | DeFuniak Springs | 1 |
| 8 | Freeport | 1 |
| 9 | Bruce | 1 |
| 10 | Westville | 1 |
Tax on a short stay in Walton County
- Florida sales tax
- 6%
- Walton County surtax
- 1%
- Walton County tourist development tax
- 5%
- Total on a short stay
- 12%
For stays of six months or less. Walton 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: Bay County. Every county is in the monthly license report.
How many vacation rentals are licensed in Walton County each month?
About 42 a month since July 1, 2026: 162 in all through October 25. In September 2026 the state approved 39.
Which towns in Walton County license the most vacation rentals?
Santa Rosa Beach (76), Miramar Beach (41), Inlet Beach (32), Panama City Beach (4), Rosemary Beach (3) since July 1, 2026.
What's the tax on a vacation rental stay in Walton County?
12% for stays of six months or less: Florida's 6% sales tax, Walton 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 Walton 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 $800 a month for Walton 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 Walton 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 Walton 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.