LicensedRental

Indian River County, Florida

Vero Beach, FL vacation rental requirements

Vero Beach doesn’t allow rentals of less than 30 days in its residential zoning districts, a rule that dates to 1991 and was upheld in court in 2016. Short stays are allowed only where the zoning lists guest houses and transient quarters: some commercial districts, downtown, and the Ocean Drive overlay.

Checked against official sources November 3, 2026

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Residential zoning
No stays under 30 days
Guest houses and transient quarters were removed from all residential districts in 1991.Source
Where allowed
B-2, B-4, C-1A, C-1, Downtown, Ocean Drive overlay
Where the zoning tables list guest houses and transient quarters.Source
Before 2011
Not preempted
A judge ruled in 2016 that the city’s ban predates the state’s June 1, 2011 cutoff.Source

Rentals of 30 days or more are allowed anywhere residential use is. Months-long winter rentals are still subject to the tourist tax for stays of six months or less.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Florida

  1. 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 →

  2. Renew every year by your district’s date

    Licenses renew on a set date for each DBPR district. Brevard, Volusia, and Indian River (District 4) renew April 1, with the half-year rate from October 1. Flagler, St. Johns, 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

  3. 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 →

  4. 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) →

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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.

Indian River County, Florida

  1. Taking direct bookings? Open a tourist tax account

    Airbnb and Vrbo collect and send Indian River’s 5% tax for bookings made through them. If you collect rent yourself, register with the Clerk of Court and file a return by the 20th of each month. Once an account has been open 12 months, file a zero return in months with no rentals unless you ask in writing to go inactive. The county and city rental licenses still ask for proof of a Clerk tourist tax account.Source

    Tourist tax registration form (PDF) →

  2. Know which rules cover you

    Outside city limits, the county vacation rental license applies. Sebastian and Indian River Shores have their own registrations. Vero Beach allows rentals under 30 days only in some commercial and downtown districts. Fellsmere and Orchid have no rental rules in their codes.

  3. Then your town

    Pick your town for its full checklist.

City of Vero Beach

  1. Check your zoning first

    Renting for less than 30 days (or advertising a home as regularly rented that way) counts as transient occupancy. It’s allowed only in districts that list guest houses and transient quarters: B-2, B-4, C-1A, and C-1, the Downtown district, and the Cardinal Drive/Ocean Drive commercial overlay. In residential districts, rent for 30 days or more.Source

  2. Get the state license and county tax account

    Where short stays are allowed, you need the DBPR license. Airbnb and Vrbo pay the county tourist tax on their bookings; for direct bookings, register with the Clerk of Court. See the Indian River County page.

  3. Ask about a city business tax receipt

    Ask the City of Vero Beach whether a rental needs a city business tax receipt.

Sources

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.