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How to get a short-term rental license in Florida

Florida licenses every vacation rental at the state level, then layers county taxes and local rules on top. Here's how the whole process works, in the order you'll actually do it.

Last updated October 2026

Do you need a license?

Florida treats a vacation rental as a public lodging establishment. If you rent a property more than three times a year for stays shorter than 30 days, or you advertise it to the public that way, you need a state vacation rental license. That covers nearly anyone listing a whole home or condo on Airbnb or VRBO.

Step one: the state license from DBPR

The vacation rental license is issued by DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and you apply online through a DBPR account. There are separate license types for condominium units and for houses (called dwellings), and owners with several units can sometimes group them under one license.

Have these ready before you apply:

The property address and the legal owner's information
Your Florida sales tax certificate number (which is why the tax account usually comes first)
Payment for the license fee, which varies by license type and number of units

The license is renewed every year. Missing a renewal can mean operating unlicensed without realizing it.

Step two: state and county taxes

Florida taxes short-term stays in two layers, and each needs its own account.

State sales tax

Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for transient rental tax. The state rate is 6%, and most counties add a local discretionary sales surtax on top, so your total rate depends on where the property is.

County tourist development tax

Most Florida counties also charge a tourist development tax, often called the bed tax. Some counties collect it themselves and require you to register with the county; others have the Department of Revenue collect it. Which applies depends entirely on your county.

About Airbnb and VRBO collecting taxes: booking platforms collect and remit some Florida taxes on hosts' behalf in many areas, but not always every tax, and not for direct bookings. You'll usually still need your own accounts and filings. Confirm exactly what your platform covers for your county.

Step three: city and county rules

This is where Florida gets complicated. State law generally stops local governments from banning vacation rentals or limiting how often or how long they're rented. But local rules adopted on or before June 1, 2011 are grandfathered in, and local governments can still require things like registration, inspections, occupancy limits and parking rules.

In practice, depending on your address, you may need:

A local business tax receipt from your city, your county, or both
A local vacation rental registration or certificate
A local inspection covering items like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and posted safety information
A designated local contact who can respond to issues around the clock

Two properties a few miles apart can have very different requirements, so always check the rules for the exact address.

HOAs and condo associations

State preemption limits what cities can do, not what your association can do. Many condo declarations and HOA rules restrict or ban short-term rentals, set minimum stay lengths, or require you to register with the association. Check the governing documents before you buy or list, because association rules can stop a rental even when the city allows it.

Step-by-step checklist

Confirm the address can operate. Check local rules and your association documents before spending money on anything else.
Register for state sales tax with the Florida Department of Revenue.
Register for county tourist development tax, with the county directly if it collects its own.
Apply for your DBPR vacation rental license.
Get your local business tax receipt from your city, your county, or both.
Complete any local registration and inspection your city or county requires.
Add your license numbers to your listings and set reminders for renewals and tax filings.

Common mistakes

Assuming the platform handles everything. Airbnb and VRBO may collect some taxes, but licensing is always the host's responsibility.
Getting the state license and stopping there. Many fines come from missed local registrations, not the state license.
Buying before checking association rules. A condo that bans short-term rentals can't be fixed with a license.
Forgetting renewals. Licenses and local registrations renew on their own schedules.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida allows vacation rentals statewide, but you need a state license, tax accounts, and compliance with any local rules and association restrictions that apply to your property.

How long does it take to get licensed in Florida?

Tax accounts can often be set up quickly. The DBPR license and local registrations take longer, especially where an inspection is required. Timing depends on your county and city.

Do I need a license to rent out a room in my home?

It depends on how the space is rented and advertised. Rules differ for whole units and shared spaces, so check with DBPR or have us confirm before you list.

Has Florida changed its vacation rental laws recently?

Lawmakers have proposed changes to vacation rental rules in recent sessions, and local ordinances change often. We check current state and local requirements for every property we file.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Requirements change and vary by location. Confirm current rules with the relevant agencies or a professional before acting.