LicensedRental

Brevard County, Florida

Cocoa Beach, FL vacation rental requirements

Cocoa Beach requires every vacation rental, including condos, to register with the city and pass a fire inspection every year. Fees are charged per allowed guest.

Checked against official sources October 26, 2026
City permit
Vacation rental registration
After a vacation rental business tax receipt. Renews every year.Source
Inspection
Fire and building, every year
Included in the registration fee.Source
Max occupancy
2 per bedroom + 2, max 8
Fees
Charged per allowed guest
Lower rate for condos and multifamily.Source
Applies to
The whole city, including condos
Since April 2025.Source

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Florida

  1. Get the DBPR vacation rental license

    Apply to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants as a vacation rental condo or vacation rental dwelling. There is no state inspection before the license is issued, but DBPR can inspect after a complaint. Renew it every year.Source

    DBPR online services →

  2. Register for Florida sales tax

    Register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect the 6% state tax and the county surtax on bookings you take directly. Booking platforms collect it for stays booked through them.Source

    Florida Department of Revenue →

  3. Meet the state fire safety rule

    Florida Administrative Code 69A-43.018 asks rental homes for smoke alarms powered by the house wiring plus one in every bedroom, NFPA 10 extinguishers, one hour of battery emergency lighting to the main exit, a posted floor diagram showing the primary and secondary exits, and fire safety information for guests.Source

  4. Balcony inspection for taller buildings

    Buildings three or more stories tall need a balcony inspection by a qualified inspector every three years.Source

  5. Then the county and town

    Most rules that affect day-to-day operation, like registration, inspections, occupancy, and parking, are set by the county and the town. Pick your town for its full checklist.

Brevard County, Florida

  1. Open a tourist development tax account

    Register with the Brevard County Clerk of Court and file a return every month, by the 20th of the following month. Filing electronically and on time earns a small collection allowance.Source

    Clerk of Court: tourist tax →

  2. Ask about a county business tax receipt

    The Brevard County Tax Collector issues business tax receipts for most businesses. Ask whether your rental needs one; towns usually require their own as well.Source

    Tax Collector: business tax receipts →

  3. Outside a town? Check county zoning first

    In unincorporated Brevard, short-term rentals count as "resort dwellings" (Sec. 62-1102) and are allowed only in certain zoning districts. Call county Zoning before you list.Source

  4. Register with your town

    Each town sets its own registration, inspection, occupancy, and parking rules. Pick your town for its checklist.

City of Cocoa Beach

  1. Get the vacation rental business tax receipt

    Apply to Development Services for a vacation rental business tax receipt first.Source

    Vacation rental registration →

  2. Register the property

    Once you have the receipt, submit the vacation rental registration application. The fee is charged per allowed guest and includes the fire and building inspections. Registration renews every year.Source

  3. Pass the fire inspection

    The Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division inspects the unit. Use the city’s checklist, summarized below, to prepare.Source

  4. Post the guest information page

    911, the address and unit, the owner or agent’s contact, the nearest hospital, maximum occupancy and vehicles, the trash schedule, sea turtle lighting rules, the noise ordinance, and speed limits. The city publishes an example.Source

  5. Don’t advertise before you’re registered

    Advertising an unregistered rental is a violation on its own, and fines start at $250 a day.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of Cocoa Beach’s published checklist.

  • Smoke alarmsIn each bedroom and the hallways leading to them; hardwired with battery backup, installed by an electrician. Test monthly and keep a log.Source
  • CO alarmsWherever there are gas appliances.Source
  • Fire extinguisherAt least 2A:10B:C, mounted in the unit, tagged every year.Source
  • Emergency lightingAt the main exit; hardwired with battery backup, at least one hour, turns on by itself.Source
  • Evacuation diagramAt least 8.5 by 11 inches, near the main exit and next to the inside of each bedroom door.Source
  • Escape windowsAt least 5.7 sq ft clear opening, sill 44 in or lower, opening without tools.Source
  • LocksThumb-turn deadbolts, one lock per door, no extra locks on windows or sliders.Source
  • House numbersAt least 4 inches tall, contrasting, visible from the road.Source
  • Pools and canalsDoor alarms on exits to the water, a life ring, and a pool hook. Gates latch.Source
  • GrillsAt least 10 feet from the building; none on multifamily balconies or patios.Source
  • ElectricalGFCI outlets within 6 feet of water, a labeled panel with clear space, no extension cords as wiring.Source

House rules for guests

Occupancy
2 per bedroom + 2, max 8
Source
Parking
Only in the spaces on the posted sketch
Never on the street or sidewalk.Source
Noise
Three citations in 12 months
Can make the property a "noise nuisance property" for a year, with a required guest deposit.Source

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.