Volusia County, Florida
Unincorporated Volusia, FL vacation rental requirements
Outside city limits, Volusia County requires rentals of single-family homes and condos in residential zoning to be at least 30 days. Short-term rentals there are prohibited; the County Council voted to keep the rule in 2021.
Checked against official sources November 2, 2026We couldn’t find the zoning code section that sets the 30-day minimum, so this page relies on the county’s 2021 vote as reported. Confirm with Volusia County Zoning before you list.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Florida
Get the DBPR vacation rental license
Apply to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants as a vacation rental condo or vacation rental dwelling. There is no state inspection before the license is issued, but DBPR can inspect after a complaint. Renew it every year.Source
Register for Florida sales tax
Register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect the 6% state tax and the county surtax on bookings you take directly. Booking platforms collect it for stays booked through them.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 need a balcony inspection by a qualified inspector every three years.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.
Volusia County, Florida
Open a county tourist tax account
Register with Volusia County Treasury and Billing using the county’s application, after you have your Florida sales tax number. File and pay online by the 20th of each month (quarterly if you collect less than $1,000 a year). Cleaning and other required fees are taxable too.Source
Know what the platforms cover
VRBO (since January 2020) and Airbnb (since February 2020) collect and send the county tax for bookings made through them. Other sites don’t, and direct bookings are always yours to file.Source
Outside a city? The county’s 30-day minimum applies
In unincorporated Volusia, single-family homes and condos in residential zoning can’t be rented for less than 30 days. See the unincorporated Volusia page.Source
Then your city
Each city sets its own registration, inspection, and zoning rules. Pick your city for its checklist.
Unincorporated Volusia County
Confirm you’re outside city limits
Ormond-by-the-Sea, Wilbur-by-the-Sea, Bethune Beach, and other beach communities are unincorporated, so county rules apply. Check your parcel on the Volusia County Property Appraiser site.Source
Rent for 30 days or more
In residential zoning, single-family homes and condos can’t be rented for less than 30 days. Monthly rentals are allowed.Source
Collect and file the taxes
Rentals of six months or less still owe the 12.5% total tax. Open a county tourist tax account and a Florida sales tax account. See the Volusia County page.Source
Sources
- Vacation rentals and timeshare projects (form HR 5025-753) · Florida DBPR
- Discretionary sales surtax rates (DR-15DSS) · Florida Department of Revenue
- Florida Administrative Code 69A-43, fire safety for public lodging · State Fire Marshal (copy hosted by Bay County)
- Tourist and convention development tax · Volusia County
- Tourist tax frequently asked questions · Volusia County
- Volusia County Council votes to keep short-term rental ordinance as is (May 2021) · Ormond Beach Observer
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.