Florida (FL) Short-Term Rental Regulations
Compare STR rules across 2 Florida cities. License fees, tax rates, and operating rules. Verified May 2026.
At a Glance
Regulatory Climate and Primary Residence fields derived from city-level archetype data. Preemption status verified against state statutes (Florida: FL Stat. 509.032 verified via flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2018/509.032).
📊 By the Numbers
- 2 cities covered in Florida
- License fee range: $150–$150
- 2 cities rated high-risk for investors
Source: City-level data from official municipal sources, cross-verified May 2026.
Regulatory Overview
Florida occupies a unique middle ground. FL Stat. 509.032 preempts cities from banning vacation rentals entirely, providing a baseline of state-level protection. But cities retain broad authority over registration, fees, zoning, and enforcement. In practice, Miami Beach is heavily zoning-restricted with high fines and active code enforcement, while Orlando bans whole-home STRs in most residential zones. Only owner-occupied home shares are permitted. Florida's statutory framework means the door is never fully closed, but local rules determine whether a specific property is viable.
Regulatory Risk Ranking
From most restrictive to most investor-friendly within Florida:
- Orlando — 🔴 High barrier: Orlando is NOT a whole-home STR market within city limits. The official factsheet is unambiguous: 1-
- Miami Beach — 🟡 Moderate: Miami Beach is a zoning lottery. If your property sits in a permitted transect zone (T4-T6, CI-HD),
City Comparison — 2 Cities
All Florida cities covered by RentPermitted, ranked and compared:
| City | Status | License Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach | Zoning-Restricted | ~$150–$300 city BTR + FL DBPR state license + Miami-Dade Certificate of Use |
| Orlando | Home Share Only — Entire-Home Banned | Annual Home Share registration fee + Business Tax Receipt (B&B path) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cities in Florida does RentPermitted cover?
We cover 2 cities in Florida: Miami Beach, Orlando.
Does Florida have state-wide STR laws?
Partially — FL Stat. 509.032 preempts cities from banning vacation rentals entirely, but cities retain broad authority over registration, fees, zoning, and enforcement. The state sets a floor, not a ceiling. Local rules ultimately determine viability.
Which Florida city is best for STR investment?
Orlando is generally the most accessible: Orlando is NOT a whole-home STR market within city limits. The official factsheet is unambiguous: 1-29 day entire-home r. Miami Beach is the most restrictive: Miami Beach is a zoning lottery. If your property sits in a permitted transect zone (T4-T6, CI-HD), it's a strong market. See the risk ranking above for the full breakdown.
Similar States
States with a comparable restrictive regulatory profile:
Disclaimer: Data sourced from official Florida city websites and state statutes. Regulations change. Verify with local authorities before making investment decisions. Last comprehensive review: May 2026.
RentPermitted is not a government agency. We compile public information for educational purposes.