Can you run an Airbnb in Merritt Island, Florida?

Usually not in standard residential areas. Most of Merritt Island is unincorporated Brevard County, where residential zoning requires a 90-day minimum stay, which rules out true nightly Airbnb use for the typical home.

Merritt Island is a large, mostly unincorporated area between the mainland and the barrier island, riverfront rather than oceanfront. Because it is governed by Brevard County rather than a city, the county's short-term rental rules apply to most of it, and those rules are strict about nightly stays.

The Brevard County 90-day rule

In most residential zoning in unincorporated Brevard County, the minimum rental is 90 days. That is a long-term or seasonal arrangement, not a nightly Airbnb. True nightly rental in the county is generally limited to special Resort Dwelling parcels, which are oceanfront and beachside sites on the barrier island, approved case by case. Merritt Island is riverfront, so those designations are rare here.

If someone tells you a Merritt Island house can be rented nightly, verify the exact parcel and its zoning before you believe it. This is the most common way buyers get burned on this side of the county.

Where nightly rentals are allowed nearby

If your goal is a nightly short-term rental, look at nearby cities that allow it. On the beach, Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral allow nightly rentals. On the mainland, the City of Cocoa and Rockledge are more open and more affordable. Any of these is a better starting point than fighting the county rule on Merritt Island.

What still works on Merritt Island

Merritt Island is a strong market for long-term and seasonal rentals of 90 days or more, and for buyers who want space, water access, and a central location. If you are open to a longer minimum stay, the island has real appeal. The lodging taxes that apply to short stays elsewhere do not apply to true long-term leases.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I Airbnb most homes on Merritt Island?

Because most of Merritt Island is unincorporated Brevard County, where residential zoning requires a 90-day minimum stay. That prevents nightly rentals unless a parcel has a rare Resort Dwelling designation.

Where can I buy a nightly rental near Merritt Island?

Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral on the beach, and the City of Cocoa and Rockledge on the mainland, all allow nightly short-term rentals. Each has its own rules and costs.

Can I do a long-term rental on Merritt Island?

Yes. Rentals of 90 days or more are allowed in residential areas, so long-term and seasonal leasing is the model that fits most of the island.

Thinking about a short-term rental on the Space Coast?

If you are weighing a Merritt Island short-term rental against the rest of Brevard County, my partner Nichole and I got your back. We help investors and relocation buyers find properties that actually work as rentals across the Space Coast every week. The fastest way to start is to schedule a call or reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.

For the full breakdown of licensing, zoning, taxes, and what Merritt Island rentals tend to earn, read our Merritt Island short-term rental rules guide.

Short-term rental rules change often, and this is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the current requirements with the city, Brevard County, and the Florida DBPR before you buy or rent.