Palm Bay, 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.

Confirm what your zoning allows

Palm Bay’s code has no vacation rental section. Its zoning code defines a dwelling unit as one rented "on a weekly, monthly or longer basis," and treats tourist and transient accommodations separately. Ask the city’s Growth Management (zoning) office whether stays of less than a week are allowed at your address before you list.Source

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

Ask about a city business tax receipt

Ask the city whether a rental needs a business tax receipt, then get the matching Brevard County receipt if so.

Check your HOA rules

With no city rental rules, your association’s documents are often the main limit. Read them before you list.