Flagler Beach, 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 and Volusia (District 4) renew April 1, with the half-year rate from October 1. Flagler and the rest of District 5 renew June 1, with the half-year rate from December 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.

Open a tourist tax account, even if you only use Airbnb or Vrbo

Flagler collects its own 5% tourist development tax, and the Tax Collector says the platforms do not send it in. Create an account on Tourist Express and file a return every month, by the 20th, including months with no rentals. You’ll need a Florida sales tax number from the Department of Revenue to set it up.Source

Tourist Express (Flagler Tax Collector) →

Get a county business tax receipt

The Tax Collector requires a local business tax receipt for every rental property, and county Ordinance 2018-10 requires the receipt number in every advertisement, including your Airbnb and Vrbo listings. Cities add their own receipt on top.Source

Know which program covers you

Palm Coast and Flagler Beach run their own rental programs. Outside city limits and east of U.S. 1 (the Hammock and the barrier island), the county’s short-term vacation rental certificate applies. Bunnell, Beverly Beach, and Marineland have no rental program in their codes.

Then your town

Pick your town for its full checklist.

Check your zoning first

Resort dwellings and resort condominiums are allowed in Tourist Commercial (TC) and General Commercial (GC) zoning. In single-family, low- and medium-density residential, and PUD districts they’re allowed only if the unit was operating as a rental between January 1, 2006 and October 2008 and has kept its permits current. Ask Planning and Zoning before you buy or list.Source

Get the state license, tax accounts, and insurance

The city asks for your DBPR license, a Florida sales tax certificate, and general liability insurance with the application. Register with the Flagler County Tax Collector for the 5% tourist tax.Source

Apply to Planning and Zoning

Submit the rental permit application, your deed or a property appraiser printout, the signed Notice of Minimum Standards, the business tax receipt application, the billing and local contact form, and your tippy cart order. The city schedules the fire inspection after the application is complete.Source

Rental application packet (PDF) →

Pass the fire inspection

Common checks on the city’s pre-inspection list: address numbers at least 3 inches tall and visible from the street; a 2A-10:BC extinguisher on each floor, mounted and tagged; working emergency lighting; exits clear; 30 inches clear in front of the electrical panel; power strips with breakers, and no extension cords as permanent wiring.Source

Name a local contact

Someone with a local address and phone, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Post their name and number at the property, and tell the city in writing within 10 days of any change.Source

Put your business tax receipt number in every ad

County Ordinance 2018-10 requires the receipt number in all rental advertising.Source

Renew by October 1 with a self-inspection

Within 30 days before your permit expires on September 30, inspect the rental yourself and fill out the city’s compliance worksheet. Send it with the renewal, and keep the notice and the latest worksheet at the property.Source