Do I need a state license for a short-term rental in Florida?
Short Answer
Yes, in most cases. If you rent a home or condo more than three times a calendar year for stays under 30 days, or advertise it that way, Florida treats it as a vacation rental. You need a license from DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants before you operate. Running without one is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Do I need a state license for a short-term rental in Florida?
Yes, in most cases. Florida calls these vacation rentals. Section 509.242(1)(c), Florida Statutes, covers a condo or co-op unit, or a one to four family house, that's also a transient public lodging establishment.
Section 509.013 says that means a place rented more than three times in a calendar year for less than 30 consecutive days, or advertised as regularly rented that way.
Section 509.241 requires a license from DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants before you operate. Operating without one is a second-degree misdemeanor.
What this looks like in Tampa Bay
DBPR offers two types: Vacation Rental (Condo) and Vacation Rental (Dwelling). The state license is only one layer. Many cities and counties also require registration, a certificate of use, or a business tax receipt. Unincorporated Pinellas, for example, requires a Certificate of Use and an inspection.
Step by step
- Confirm local zoning and association rules allow it.
- Apply to DBPR for the right license type.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax.
- Register with the county for tourist development tax.
- Get the local registration and pass any inspection.
- Renew each year.
State vs local requirements
| Requirement | Who issues it |
|---|---|
| Vacation rental license | DBPR |
| Sales tax registration | Florida Department of Revenue |
| Tourist development tax | The county |
| Registration or certificate | City or county, where required |
What you control and what you don't
You control whether you file on time. You don't control fees or local rules.
Common mistakes
- Listing the home before the license is issued.
- Getting the state license and skipping the local one.
Applying with DBPR
DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants takes vacation rental applications online. You choose the license type, give the address and unit details, and pay the fee. You renew each year. DBPR also offers ways for one licensee to cover a group of units in some cases, which management companies often use. Ask DBPR which option fits.
A license doesn't move with the sale
If you buy a home that the seller rented, the seller's license doesn't transfer to you. You apply in your own name before your first guest. You can look up the seller's license on DBPR's public license search. That shows whether the property was licensed and in what category. It doesn't prove the rental met local rules.
What DBPR checks
DBPR can inspect licensed rentals. Inspections focus on safety and posting items. Common topics are smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, posted exit information, and a guest register. Florida law requires lodging operators to keep a guest register. Ask DBPR for its current checklist before your first stay.
Local permits and registrations
The state license is one layer. Some cities and counties add their own registration, inspection, or local contact rules. Unincorporated Hillsborough starts registration January 1, 2027. Pinellas beach towns have their own rules. Check each one for the parcel.
Penalties
Running a vacation rental without a required license is a second-degree misdemeanor under section 509.241. DBPR can also issue fines and close an operation. Local governments can enforce their own rules separately. Getting licensed first is the simple path.
Long-term rentals
A rental that isn't rented more than three times a year for less than 30 days, and isn't advertised that way, generally isn't a transient public lodging establishment. That's why many owners who rent by the month don't need this license. Read the definitions in section 509.013 and confirm with DBPR.
Steps
- Decide whether you'll rent short stays at all.
- Look up the seller's license, if any.
- Confirm local rules for the parcel.
- Apply with DBPR in your own name.
- Set up the guest register and safety items.
- Calendar the yearly renewal.
Questions to ask DBPR
- Which license type fits this unit?
- Can one license cover more than one unit?
- What does an inspection look for?
- How long does approval take?
Condo or dwelling
DBPR splits vacation rentals into two license types. A condo license covers units in a condominium or cooperative. A dwelling license covers single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes. A townhome can fall in either, depending on whether it's part of a condominium. The legal form of ownership decides, not how the building looks. Check the deed and recorded documents. If the property is in a condominium, the association's rules also apply, and some condo associations ask owners to share proof of the license. Pick the wrong type and DBPR may reject the application or ask you to reapply, which can delay your first booking.
Using a manager
Many owners hire a licensed manager. The manager may hold the DBPR license or you may. Read the management agreement to see who's responsible for licenses, taxes, and inspections. Keep a copy of the license with your rental records.
What to do next
Read the Tampa Bay short-term rental rules guide. Book a consult if you're buying a rental.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules depend on the parcel and can change, so confirm with the city or county and a Florida attorney before you buy.