Malabar, FL vacation rental requirements

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 →

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 →

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

Balcony inspection for taller buildings

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

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.

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 →

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 →

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

Register with your town

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

Get the state license and county tax account

Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license and sales and Brevard tourist tax registrations. The steps are on the Florida and Brevard County pages.Source

Get a town business tax receipt

Malabar’s business tax schedule charges $5 per unit for hotels, apartments, and other lodging that must show a state Division of Hotels and Restaurants license, which is the license a vacation rental holds. Confirm the category with Town Hall when you apply.Source

Post the fire safety rules

Malabar’s fire code requires places used by transient guests to post an approved copy of fire safety regulations in each unit.Source

Check your HOA or condo rules

With no town rental rules, your association’s documents are often the main limit on short-term rentals. Read them before you list.