Broward County, Florida
Lighthouse Point, FL vacation rental requirements
Lighthouse Point requires a transient rental Certificate of Compliance for any rental of six months or less: $750 to apply and $500 a year to renew, with an annual inspection and certified smoke alarms and extinguishers. Occupancy is capped by square footage and bedrooms, and the responsible party must live within 25 miles.
Checked against official sources November 4, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
Ordinance 2015-0926, updated by Ordinance 2022-0996 (effective January 1, 2023). Fees from Resolution 2015-2042.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Florida
Get the DBPR vacation rental license
Apply online to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants as a Vacation Rental – Condominium or Vacation Rental – Dwelling, listing every unit address. Approval usually takes one to two business days and the license is emailed. There is no inspection before it’s issued, but DBPR can inspect afterward. Post the license (or a copy) in the unit.Source
Renew every year by your district’s date
Licenses renew on a set date for each DBPR district. Brevard, Volusia, Indian River, St. Lucie, Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole (District 4) renew April 1, with the half-year rate from October 1. Duval, Nassau, Clay, Flagler, St. Johns, Levy, Alachua, Marion, and the rest of District 5 renew June 1, with the half-year rate from December 1. Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Gulf, Franklin, and the rest of District 6 also renew June 1. Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward (District 2) renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Miami-Dade and Monroe (District 1) renew October 1, with the half-year rate from April 1. Collier, Lee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, and the rest of District 7 renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, and the rest of District 3 renew February 1, with the half-year rate from August 1. If you won’t rent until after the next renewal date, waiting to apply can save paying twice.Source
Register for Florida sales tax if you collect rent yourself
Whoever receives the rent collects and pays the tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect Florida’s 6% tax and the county surtax on bookings made through them, so if every booking goes through them you don’t need your own sales tax account. If you take direct bookings, or a property manager collects rent for you, you or the manager register with the Department of Revenue and file. You stay responsible if a platform or manager doesn’t pay it.Source
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 must file a Certificate of Balcony Inspection with DBPR every three years. Condo units are exempt when the balconies and stairs are common elements and you give DBPR proof.Source
Keep up the state operating rules
Keep the unit clean, safe, and free of pests; change sheets and pillowcases between guests or weekly; use cribs that meet federal safety standards; and sanitize dishes between guests or post DBPR’s exception notice.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.
Broward County, Florida
Register for the tourist tax if you take direct bookings
Whoever receives the rent collects the tax. If any guests pay you directly, register with the Tourist Development Tax Section and file on the schedule it assigns (monthly to annually). Returns are due the 1st and late after the 20th, even when you owe nothing; late returns cost at least $50.Source
Get a Broward County business tax receipt
The county says tourist tax registrants may also need a county local business tax receipt, and most city rental applications ask for one.Source
Then your city
Most Broward beach cities require a vacation rental license, an inspection, and a local responsible party. Pick your city for its checklist.
City of Lighthouse Point
Get the state license and county accounts
Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license. Broward cities also ask for a Broward County business tax receipt and, if you take any direct bookings, a Broward tourist tax account. See the Florida and Broward County pages.Source
Apply for the Certificate of Compliance
Submit the application and fee; the inspection must be passed within 60 days or the application is rejected. Smoke and CO detectors and fire extinguishers need annual certification.Source
Post the certificate and rules
Post the certificate by the main entrance. Inside, post the noise limits, parking sketch, trash and recycling days, nearest hospital, occupancy limits, police non-emergency number, address, and an evacuation map by each bedroom door.Source
Renew by September 30
Certificates expire every September 30 regardless of when issued, and are re-inspected each year.Source
City certificate fees
$750 the first time and $500 a year to renew. Reinspections and missed inspections are $70.
| First-time application | $750 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | $500 |
| Reinspection or no-show | $70 |
House rules for guests
Sources
- Vacation rental and timeshare project licensing guide · Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants
- Rule 12A-1.061, sales tax on transient rentals (registration in part (9)) · Florida Department of Revenue (Florida Administrative Code)
- Rule 69A-43.018, fire safety for one- and two-family homes licensed as public lodging · State Fire Marshal (Florida Administrative Code)
- Certificate of Balcony Inspection (DBPR HR 7020) · Florida DBPR
- Tourist development tax · Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury
- Ordinance 2022-0996, transient rentals · City of Lighthouse Point
- Resolution 2015-2042, transient rental application fees · City of Lighthouse Point
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.