Every city in South Florida sets its own rules for short-term rentals — on top of state and county requirements. Here's what to expect before your property can legally accept guests.
Most South Florida owners are surprised to learn it's not just one license. Requirements stack from the state down to your specific city.
Every short-term rental in Florida needs a Vacation Rental / Resort Dwelling license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, plus active state sales & transient rental tax registration.
Your county (Broward or Miami-Dade) requires its own Business Tax Receipt and Tourist Development Tax registration, filed separately from state tax and typically remitted quarterly.
Your specific city layers on its own registration, safety, occupancy, and posting requirements — this is where the rules vary the most. Select your city below.
Source: Miramar LDC §405.11.2 + Ord. No. 25-14 (effective September 3, 2025)
| License / Registration | Issuing Authority | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity (LLC, etc.) | FL Division of Corporations | Recommended before applying for city licenses; sole proprietorship is an option but offers no liability protection |
| Resort Dwelling License | FL DBPR | Must be active before city approvals are granted; renew annually |
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly filing once active |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly filing, collected alongside rental payments |
| County Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Annual renewal |
| Zoning Certificate of Use (ZCU) | City of Miramar | Required before operating; renew annually by Sept. 30 alongside Police Dept. registration |
| Business Tax Receipt | City of Miramar | Annual renewal |
| Code Enforcement Registration | City of Miramar | Annual renewal, separate from ZCU and BTR |
| Fire Inspection | City of Miramar Fire Dept. | Annual — property must pass before operating each year |
| Police Dept. Registration | City of Miramar Police Dept. | Miramar-specific — separate from the ZCU; notarized trespass affidavit required; renew by Sept. 30 |
| Commercial General Liability Insurance | Owner's insurer | Must cover premises operations, personal injury, and property damage — no city-set dollar minimum since Ord. 25-14 |
| Obligation | Filed With | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly |
| Resort Dwelling License Renewal | FL DBPR | Annually |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly |
| Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Annually |
Source: Ord. No. 23-10 (effective April 25, 2023) · Ch. 6, Art. VIII, City Code
| License / Permit | Issuing Authority | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Rental Permit | City of Cooper City | Expires Sept. 30 annually; annual fee applies regardless of when you apply |
| Business Tax Receipt | City of Cooper City | Required before the vacation rental permit is issued |
| Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Required if applicable |
| Resort Dwelling License | FL DBPR | Must be active before city approval; renew annually |
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly filing once active |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly filing |
| Obligation | Filed With | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly |
| Resort Dwelling License Renewal | FL DBPR | Annually |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly |
| Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Annually |
| Business Tax Receipt | City of Cooper City | Annually |
Source: Hallandale Beach Article XIV, Ord. No. 2023-003
| License / Registration | Issuing Authority | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Use) | City of Hallandale Beach | Expires Sept. 30 annually; non-transferable and void upon sale of the property |
| Resort Dwelling License | FL DBPR | Must be active before city registration is approved; renew annually |
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly filing once active |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly filing |
| County Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Annual renewal |
| Obligation | Filed With | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & Transient Rental Tax | FL Dept. of Revenue | Monthly |
| Resort Dwelling License Renewal | FL DBPR | Annually |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | Quarterly |
| Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Annually |
Source: Miami Gardens Article IV, Ord. No. 2024-001-470
| License / Registration | Issuing Authority | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Rental Registration | City of Miami Gardens — Business Licensing | Expires Sept. 30 annually |
| Transient Public Lodging License | FL DBPR | Must be active before city registration is approved |
| Tax Registration | FL Dept. of Revenue | Covers sales tax, transient rental tax, and tourist development tax |
| Landlord Permit | City of Miami Gardens | Annual, expires March 31 — separate from the vacation rental registration |
| Certificate of Occupancy | City of Miami Gardens / Miami-Dade County | Must be issued as a dwelling unit |
Miami Gardens tax registration is filed as a single combined registration with the FL Dept. of Revenue covering sales tax, transient rental tax, and tourist development tax. The Landlord Permit is a separate annual filing (expires March 31) in addition to the Sept. 30 vacation rental registration renewal.
West Park has no standalone short-term rental ordinance — compliance runs through Florida state law, Broward County regulations, and the city's general business and zoning codes.
| License / Registration | Issuing Authority | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Rental License (Dwelling or Condo) | FL DBPR | Required for any property rented under 30 days, more than 3x/year; includes mandatory Human Trafficking Prevention training |
| Sales Tax Registration | FL Dept. of Revenue | Proof required as part of the DBPR application |
| Business Tax Receipt | Broward County | Required for all rental properties in the county; renew annually |
| Tourist Development Tax | Broward County | 6% on stays of 6 months or less; filed and remitted monthly, even with zero rentals |
| Business Tax Receipt | City of West Park | Required for all businesses operating in city limits |
| Zoning Verification | City of West Park Planning & Zoning | Confirm the property's zoning district permits short-term rental use before listing |
| Tax / Fee | Rate | Remit To |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Transient Rental Tax | 6% | FL Dept. of Revenue |
| Florida Discretionary Sales Surtax | 1% | FL Dept. of Revenue |
| Broward County Tourist Development Tax | 6% | Broward County Tax Collector |
Don't want to manage this yourself? Kozy At Home handles registration, licensing, and tax setup for you — $250 bundled with a Co-Hosting agreement, or $550 as a standalone service.
Get Compliance Help →Can I list my property while my license or registration is still pending?
No. Your property can't accept paying guests until every required state, county, and city license or registration is active and approved. Advertising or hosting before approval is a code violation in every city listed here and can result in fines against the owner — sometimes even before a single guest checks in. We'll always tell you honestly where you stand in the process.
My city isn't listed here — what do I do?
We're actively adding cities as we expand into new markets. Reach out and we'll research your city's specific requirements as part of your free consultation, whether or not you end up working with us.
How long does the permitting process usually take?
It varies by city and how quickly your documentation is ready, but plan for several weeks between your first application and full approval — state, county, and city agencies each process on their own timeline. Starting early, before your target listing date, avoids unnecessary delays.
Does Kozy At Home handle the applications for me?
Yes. Compliance Assistance covers city and county registration, your FL DBPR vacation rental license, and sales tax certificate setup — $250 when bundled with a Co-Hosting agreement, or $550 as a standalone service if you're only looking for help with registration.
Tell us where your property is and we'll walk you through exactly what's required before it can go live.
Schedule a Free ConsultationOr email us directly at hello@kozyathome.com