Miami Beach short-term rental rules: where it's allowed and how to register
Miami Beach has some of the strictest short-term rental rules in the country. Zoning decides whether a property can operate at all, and the fines for getting it wrong are severe.
Last updated October 2026
Zoning decides everything
Short-term rentals are not allowed in any single-family residential district in Miami Beach, and they are also restricted in parts of the city's multifamily districts. The city publishes a map and an address lookup to show where they're permitted. If the address isn't in an allowed zone, no license makes it legal.
If your property is in an allowed zone
- A Florida DBPR vacation rental license
- Florida Department of Revenue sales tax registration
- A City of Miami Beach business tax receipt
- A Miami Beach resort tax certificate, with the number shown in your listings and ads
The resort tax is a city tax that commonly needs its own registration and reporting, even when a booking platform collects some state and county taxes for you.
Penalties
The fines are severe. Operating an illegal short-term rental in Miami Beach can bring fines starting at $20,000 for a first offense and escalating with each repeat violation.
Condos and associations
Many Miami Beach condo associations restrict or ban short-term rentals regardless of zoning. Confirm both the zoning and the association rules before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I Airbnb a house in Miami Beach?
Not in single-family residential districts, where short-term rentals are prohibited. Only properties in specific zoning districts can operate.
What is the fine for an illegal short-term rental in Miami Beach?
Fines start at $20,000 for a first offense and increase for repeat violations.
What is the Miami Beach resort tax certificate?
A city tax registration for collecting Miami Beach resort tax. The certificate number is shown in your listings.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees are current as of October 2026 based on city and industry sources, and they change often. Confirm with the city before applying.