Short-Term Rental Rules in South Florida: What Owners Need to Know (and How Host & Keep Keeps You Compliant)
Operating a short-term rental (STR) in South Florida can be lucrative—but each city plays by different rules. Below is a practical, city-by-city guide to the core requirements, plus the state licenses and taxes you must handle. As a professional, full-service manager, Host & Keep handles registrations, renewals, inspections, guest standards, and taxes so you stay compliant, protect your asset, and maximize cash flow. We’re also licensed realtors—so when it’s time to buy or sell, we guide the entire lifecycle.
Florida-Level Requirements (Apply Everywhere)
State lodging license (DBPR). Any “vacation rental” offered for stays of six months or less typically needs a DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants license. DBPR offers single-unit, condo, and group/collective licenses; owners can add/remove units in their online account. (MyFloridaLicense)
State sales tax & local surtaxes. Florida charges 6% state sales tax on rentals of six months or less, plus any discretionary county surtax. The Florida Department of Revenue’s brochure GT-800034 explains what’s taxable and how to remit. (Florida Dept. of Revenue)
County tourist/bed taxes. Miami-Dade imposes convention/resort taxes; Miami Beach adds a 4% resort tax on STRs in addition to county taxes. Broward County’s Tourist Development Tax is 6%. (Platforms sometimes collect, but owners remain responsible.) (Miami-Dade County)
City of Miami
Most single-family/duplex properties in T3 and T4-R zones are ineligible for STR use; the City provides a dedicated guide for converting/operating lawful STR/lodging in eligible zones and outlines the step-by-step approval process. Zoning verification is recommended before you buy. (Miami Government)
How Host & Keep helps: We confirm zoning eligibility up front, coordinate any required Certificate(s) of Use, and manage state/county tax registrations so you launch cleanly.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is one of Florida’s strictest markets. Vacation/short-term rentals (under six months + one day) are prohibited in all single-family homes and in many multifamily districts; only specific zoning areas allow them. The City’s STR portal details allowed districts and occupational codes if permitted. Violations are costly, so verify before you list. (City of Miami Beach)
Host & Keep advantage: We pre-screen addresses against zoning maps and manage all local registrations where allowed—avoiding fines and shutdowns.
Coral Gable
Coral Gables prohibits short-term rentals under six months in most residential areas and enforces via immediate citations: $150/day for the first violation and $500/day thereafter, with removal of online listings required for compliance. If you’re considering a purchase here for STR, consult zoning first. (Coral Gables)
Host & Keep tip: We’ll help you evaluate long-term leasing strategies or pivot to compliant nearby zones if nightly rentals aren’t allowed.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale allows STRs but requires registration with the City’s Vacation Rental Program (and renewal), adherence to safety/occupancy standards, and 24/7 local contact posting. The City’s program page and renewal checklist outline documentation, inspections, and hotline compliance. (Fort Lauderdale)
Host & Keep advantage: We complete your initial registration, schedule inspections, maintain required postings, and monitor noise/parking to protect your permit.
Hollywood
Hollywood operates a Vacation Rental License program requiring an online application, owner certification (notarized), local business tax receipt, and Certificate of Use. Applications are submitted online; paper is no longer accepted. The City posts updated notices on fees and effective dates. (Hollywood)
Host & Keep advantage: We assemble application packets, track deadlines, and keep your listing compliant with posting and safety standards.
Hallandale Beach
Hallandale Beach requires a Vacation Rental License with published fees, plus specific checklists and forms (application, required postings, evacuation plans). The City’s site consolidates the workflow and ordinance. (Hallandale Beach)
Host & Keep advantage: We handle the license, prepare floor/posting plans, and keep your file inspection-ready year-round.
Unincorporated Miami-Dade County (UMSA)
Outside city limits, Miami-Dade County enforces Section 33-28 (Short-Term Vacation Rentals), covering standards, responsible party requirements, and enforcement in unincorporated areas. Owners must meet all County rules and any applicable state taxes. (Miami-Dade County)
Host & Keep advantage: We determine whether your address is in UMSA, register appropriately, and integrate County standards into our house rules and monitoring.
Why Work with Host & Keep
- Compliance built-in. We verify zoning/eligibility, file DBPR, DOR, and city/county registrations, manage renewals, and maintain on-site postings so you don’t risk fines or forced delisting. (My Florida License)
- Operational discipline. We implement quiet hours, occupancy controls, and real-time monitoring aligned with each city’s program to protect your permits and neighborhood goodwill. (Fort Lauderdale)
- Higher NOI, lower risk. Professional pricing, marketing, and guest screening drive occupancy and ADR—while compliant operations prevent costly interruptions.
- Full real estate support. As realtors, we help you acquire properties in compliant zones and exit at the right time to realize gains.
South Florida is not one-size-fits-all for STRs. Start with state licensing and taxes, confirm city zoning and local permits, and keep everything current. If you’d rather focus on returns (not paperwork), Host & Keep will launch, operate, and keep your property compliant—protecting your asset while maximizing cash flow. Want a free compliance check on your address? We’ll review it and map the exact steps to go live.
Contact us for more information: [email protected]
Short-Term Rental Rules in South Florida: What Owners Need to Know (and How Host & Keep Keeps You Compliant)
Operating a short-term rental (STR) in South Florida can be lucrative—but each city plays by different rules. Below is a practical, city-by-city guide to the core requirements, plus the state licenses and taxes you must handle. As a professional, full-service manager, Host & Keep handles registrations, renewals, inspections, guest standards, and taxes so you stay compliant, protect your asset, and maximize cash flow. We’re also licensed realtors—so when it’s time to buy or sell, we guide the entire lifecycle.
Florida-Level Requirements (Apply Everywhere)
State lodging license (DBPR). Any “vacation rental” offered for stays of six months or less typically needs a DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants license. DBPR offers single-unit, condo, and group/collective licenses; owners can add/remove units in their online account. (MyFloridaLicense)
State sales tax & local surtaxes. Florida charges 6% state sales tax on rentals of six months or less, plus any discretionary county surtax. The Florida Department of Revenue’s brochure GT-800034 explains what’s taxable and how to remit. (Florida Dept. of Revenue)
County tourist/bed taxes. Miami-Dade imposes convention/resort taxes; Miami Beach adds a 4% resort tax on STRs in addition to county taxes. Broward County’s Tourist Development Tax is 6%. (Platforms sometimes collect, but owners remain responsible.) (Miami-Dade County)
City of Miami
Most single-family/duplex properties in T3 and T4-R zones are ineligible for STR use; the City provides a dedicated guide for converting/operating lawful STR/lodging in eligible zones and outlines the step-by-step approval process. Zoning verification is recommended before you buy. (Miami Government)
How Host & Keep helps: We confirm zoning eligibility up front, coordinate any required Certificate(s) of Use, and manage state/county tax registrations so you launch cleanly.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is one of Florida’s strictest markets. Vacation/short-term rentals (under six months + one day) are prohibited in all single-family homes and in many multifamily districts; only specific zoning areas allow them. The City’s STR portal details allowed districts and occupational codes if permitted. Violations are costly, so verify before you list. (City of Miami Beach)
Host & Keep advantage: We pre-screen addresses against zoning maps and manage all local registrations where allowed—avoiding fines and shutdowns.
Coral Gable
Coral Gables prohibits short-term rentals under six months in most residential areas and enforces via immediate citations: $150/day for the first violation and $500/day thereafter, with removal of online listings required for compliance. If you’re considering a purchase here for STR, consult zoning first. (Coral Gables)
Host & Keep tip: We’ll help you evaluate long-term leasing strategies or pivot to compliant nearby zones if nightly rentals aren’t allowed.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale allows STRs but requires registration with the City’s Vacation Rental Program (and renewal), adherence to safety/occupancy standards, and 24/7 local contact posting. The City’s program page and renewal checklist outline documentation, inspections, and hotline compliance. (Fort Lauderdale)
Host & Keep advantage: We complete your initial registration, schedule inspections, maintain required postings, and monitor noise/parking to protect your permit.
Hollywood
Hollywood operates a Vacation Rental License program requiring an online application, owner certification (notarized), local business tax receipt, and Certificate of Use. Applications are submitted online; paper is no longer accepted. The City posts updated notices on fees and effective dates. (Hollywood)
Host & Keep advantage: We assemble application packets, track deadlines, and keep your listing compliant with posting and safety standards.
Hallandale Beach
Hallandale Beach requires a Vacation Rental License with published fees, plus specific checklists and forms (application, required postings, evacuation plans). The City’s site consolidates the workflow and ordinance. (Hallandale Beach)
Host & Keep advantage: We handle the license, prepare floor/posting plans, and keep your file inspection-ready year-round.
Unincorporated Miami-Dade County (UMSA)
Outside city limits, Miami-Dade County enforces Section 33-28 (Short-Term Vacation Rentals), covering standards, responsible party requirements, and enforcement in unincorporated areas. Owners must meet all County rules and any applicable state taxes. (Miami-Dade County)
Host & Keep advantage: We determine whether your address is in UMSA, register appropriately, and integrate County standards into our house rules and monitoring.
Why Work with Host & Keep
- Compliance built-in. We verify zoning/eligibility, file DBPR, DOR, and city/county registrations, manage renewals, and maintain on-site postings so you don’t risk fines or forced delisting. (My Florida License)
- Operational discipline. We implement quiet hours, occupancy controls, and real-time monitoring aligned with each city’s program to protect your permits and neighborhood goodwill. (Fort Lauderdale)
- Higher NOI, lower risk. Professional pricing, marketing, and guest screening drive occupancy and ADR—while compliant operations prevent costly interruptions.
- Full real estate support. As realtors, we help you acquire properties in compliant zones and exit at the right time to realize gains.
South Florida is not one-size-fits-all for STRs. Start with state licensing and taxes, confirm city zoning and local permits, and keep everything current. If you’d rather focus on returns (not paperwork), Host & Keep will launch, operate, and keep your property compliant—protecting your asset while maximizing cash flow. Want a free compliance check on your address? We’ll review it and map the exact steps to go live.
Contact us for more information: [email protected]