Florida law requires owners of new public lodging establishments, such as short-term rentals on Airbnb, to obtain a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before renting their properties. To operate your vacation home as a short-term rental, you must apply for a Tourist Tax License and a Local Business License in the county where the property is located, in addition to receiving a Sales Tax Number from the Florida Department of Revenue. This article focuses on the steps to apply for short-term rental licenses in Osceola and Polk counties.
Step 1: Apply for a Florida Sales Tax Number You must create a user profile and start a new application on the Florida Department of Revenue website. The process takes about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Obtain a Hotel Rental License from the DBPR All vacation rentals in Florida must be licensed by the DBPR. The license must be displayed in a visible location on the rented property.
Step 3: Local Business License and Tourist Tax Number For properties in Osceola County, submit the Business Tax Receipt and Tourist Tax Application. The cost is $5 and the process can take 2 to 4 weeks.
Note: The author of the article is not a lawyer, and the information is based on their personal experiences. For legal guidance, it is advisable to consult a lawyer or speak with the licensing authorities.