Florida’s latest legislative package is reshaping how campground and RV-park operators manage both bookings and taxes. Most immediately, the amended statute giving state residents an extra month to reserve campsites took effect Jan. 1, while updated tax guidance and a governor-backed budget proposal arrive alongside it.
For park owners, the developments land simultaneously: reservation demand is shifting toward in-state guests, the Florida Department of Revenue is clarifying when transient-rental tax must be collected, and new infrastructure money could drive even more rigs onto the highway this year.
Under Florida Statute 258.014(2), residents can now lock in state-park sites 11 months before arrival; non-residents must wait until the 10-month mark. Those new booking rules are already funneling prime weekend slots to locals, leaving out-of-state snowbirds with fewer contiguous dates and complicating park-to-park itineraries.
Operators can soften the squeeze with several proven levers. Some parks hold back a block of long-stay sites until the non-resident window opens, preserving space for snowbirds. Dynamic pricing is another strategy, letting booking engines push rates higher on short-notice, high-demand weekends and soften them mid-week. Resident-focused bundles, such as late Friday checkout or kayak credits, can leverage residents’ early access, while multi-park “road-trip” packages help tourists navigate limited inventory.
Automated wait-lists provide real-time notifications the moment a resident cancels, turning lost nights into revenue. Monitoring key performance indicators, such as lead time, length of stay and channel mix monthly, allows operators to tweak release dates or price tiers as trends shift. Training teams to explain the staggered windows clearly and posting an FAQ online can also help curb disputes and charge-backs.
Separately, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget outlines a package of tax-relief measures, transportation spending and small-business grants that aim to support outdoor recreation and economic growth, according to the spending plan. Better roads and temporary tax breaks could translate into heavier RV traffic and lower delivery costs for park supplies.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Revenue’s recent guidance confirms that rental charges at trailer camps, RV parks and mobile-home parks are taxable as transient accommodations. Owners may escape the levy only when more than 50 percent of units are occupied by tenants who stay continuously for longer than three months and a formal declaration is filed.
Penalties for miscalculation can erase profit, so a day-to-day compliance toolkit matters. Managers may flag every unit occupied 91 or more consecutive days on a live site map to see at a glance whether the park qualifies for the exemption. Using monthly addenda ensures long-term guests always show continuous residency.
Parks can also separate taxable and potentially exempt revenue streams in their property management systems. Conducting quarterly self-audits helps reconcile site occupancy with tax collected before the state does. Digital residency records, such as storing proof of residency in the cloud, can help operators survive staff turnover or storm damage.
When occupancy hovers near 50 percent, forecasting departures three months out allows operators to decide whether to pursue more long-term renters or pivot to shorter, higher-rate stays. This approach helps parks make informed decisions about compliance and revenue.
Looking ahead, operators will want to review booking data monthly, adjust inventory blocks as patterns emerge and confer with accountants on whether pursuing the long-term-stay exemption or simply remitting tax yields the stronger bottom line. If lawmakers ultimately approve the budget, grants and low-interest loans could follow, so shovel-ready projects should remain close at hand.
Taken together, the new reservation window, infrastructure push and tax clarity give Florida parks a mix of opportunity and risk. Early planning and agile management will determine whether 2024’s policy shifts expand revenue or create scramble.