Unincorporated Collier, FL vacation rental requirements

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

DBPR vacation rental licensing guide →

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

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

Florida rental fire safety checklist (FireEscapePlan.com) →

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.

Register with the Tax Collector’s tourist tax department

Every owner of a short-term rental, and any manager who collects rent, registers for a tourist tax account. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and pay the 5% on bookings made through them; for direct bookings and other platforms, you collect and pay it. The Tax Collector assigns a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual filing schedule; file for every period, even with no rentals.Source

Collier tourist development tax →

Then your city

Unincorporated Collier requires a county registration; Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City set their own rules. Pick your area for its checklist.

Get the state license and county tax account

Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license. Collier also requires every short-term rental owner to register with the Tax Collector’s tourist tax department, even if Airbnb and Vrbo collect the 5% tax for you. See the Florida and Collier County pages.Source

Confirm you’re outside the cities

Check your TRIM notice on the Property Appraiser’s site. Properties in Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City don’t register with the county. Guest houses can’t be rented at all (LDC 5.03.03).Source

Register online before you rent

Create an account on the county’s GMD Public Portal and submit the registration with your DBPR license, your tourist tax account number, and your designated responsible party. Pay the $50 when the county emails the payment slip.Source

Collier short-term vacation rental registration →

Tell guests the rules and keep the county updated

Before each stay, tell guests the county rules on noise, parking, and garbage. Follow the occupancy limits in the county and fire codes. Report a new owner or responsible party, or that you’ve stopped renting, within 10 business days.Source