LicensedRental

Orange County, Florida

Unincorporated Orange, FL vacation rental requirements

In unincorporated Orange County, renting a single-family house for less than 30 days is permitted only in R-3 zoning. Other short-term rentals (179 days or less) are allowed only in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and industrial districts, and condo and townhome planned developments bar rentals under 180 days. There’s no county registration; zoning is the rule.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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Single-family houses
Under 30 days only in R-3
Prohibited in A-1, A-2, A-R, RCE, R-1 to R-1AAAA, R-2, RT, and P-O.Source
Other short-term rentals
Commercial and industrial zoning
C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1A, I-1/I-5, I-2/I-3, I-4. Short-term means 179 days or less.Source
Condo and townhome PDs
No rentals under 180 days
Accessory dwelling units
No rentals of 30 days or less
Except in R-3.Source

Code § 38-1 defines short-term rental as 179 days or less (Ordinance 2008-06, amended 2023) and single-family transient rental as under 30 days. Ask the county whether the R-3-only rule predates June 1, 2011.

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, 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

  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.

Orange County, Florida

  1. Register for the tourist tax if you take direct bookings

    Register with the Orange County Comptroller’s tourist tax office and file every month.Source

  2. Then your area

    Zoning decides almost everything here. Pick your city or the unincorporated county.

Orange County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Check your zoning

    Look up your parcel’s zoning. A house can be rented for under 30 days only in R-3; elsewhere, rent for longer (and for 180 days or more in condo and townhome PDs). Some Horizon West town center sub-districts also allow it.Source

    Orange County zoning →

  2. Get the state license and county tourist tax account

    Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license. Airbnb collects Orange County’s 6% tourist tax on its bookings; for direct bookings and other sites, register with the Orange County Comptroller and file every month (due the 1st, late after the 20th), even with no rentals.Source

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.