Moving to Kissimmee, FL? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Kissimmee, Florida may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 83 tracked ordinances across 25 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Sec. 22-27 prohibits outdoor mechanical loudspeakers and amplified sound between 10 p.m.

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Kissimmee for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Under Land Development Code §14-6-44(B), short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are prohibited in residential districts unless located inside an STRO (Short-Term Rental Overlay) district or specifically approved as a conditional use. Most of Kissimmee outside designated STR overlay areas cannot legally operate Airbnb-style rentals..

Also covered: Registration Rules (strict), Occupancy Limits (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Kissimmee for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Sec. 24-52 prohibits all open burning inside Kissimmee unless authorized by permit.

Also covered: Fireworks (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Kissimmee for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: Sec. 6-20(b) limits each household to three domestic fowl total (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, pigeons) and requires a minimum one-acre parcel to keep them.

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (permissive), Wildlife Feeding (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Kissimmee for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Sec. 42-67 bars commercial vehicle storage in residential districts except as carved out.

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Kissimmee for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Kissimmee for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Kissimmee for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: LDC §14-8-4 protects any tree with a 4-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger. §14-8-5 requires a tree removal permit before cutting, trimming, or removing any protected tree, including those in the city right-of-way..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Kissimmee for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Sec. 32-67(1) requires trash containers to be set out by 7 a.m.

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (moderate), Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Kissimmee for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Sec. 26-60 adopts Florida Statutes §§877.20 through 877.25 in their entirety.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Kissimmee for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: LDC §14-6-7(A)(3) prohibits any sign advertising a standard home occupation on residential premises. §14-6-7(A)(11) also prohibits including the home address in any advertisement, including online directories, social media, or print media..

Also covered: Home Daycare (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Kissimmee for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: LDC §14-9-1 implements floodplain management for all FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) per the National Flood Insurance Program. Kissimmee participates in NFIP and the Florida Building Code's flood-resistant construction requirements apply..

Also covered: Boat Dock Permits (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Kissimmee for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: LDC §14-6-2 allows one ADU per lot (attached or detached) if the lot meets minimum zoning-district lot size. Detached ADUs require 1.5x the minimum lot size.

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Kissimmee for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: LDC §14-8-4(B) authorizes the city arborist to designate specimen or historic trees — typically 30 inches DBH or greater, or based on age, historic association, species, or unique characteristics. Designated trees are protected without regard to location unless protection denies the parcel all beneficial use..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Kissimmee for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Sec. 32-63 makes the city the exclusive solid waste and recycling collection provider for all properties inside city limits.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Kissimmee for details.

Hurricane Preparedness

Flood Elevation: LDC §14-9-1 requires new construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) to be elevated to or above base flood elevation (BFE) plus freeboard per the Florida Building Code §1612 and ASCE 24..

Also covered: Storm Debris (moderate), Hurricane Shutters (moderate). See the full hurricane preparedness guide for Kissimmee for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Florida F.S. §163.04 invalidates any HOA covenant prohibiting solar installation.

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Kissimmee for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: LDC §14-11-9 governs temporary signage including political signs. Per §14-11-9(A)(4), political party and candidate headquarters/offices may display one banner up to 21 sq ft starting six months before an election and must remove it within seven days after..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Kissimmee for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Kissimmee has no city-specific door-to-door solicitor permit ordinance. Florida F.S.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Drone operation in Kissimmee is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 (commercial) and Part 91 (recreational). Florida F.S.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Florida law prohibits home cultivation of cannabis even for medical patients. F.S.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Kissimmee for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Setbacks vary by zoning district per LDC §14-4-6.B Tables 4-3 (residential), 4-4 (mobile home park), and 4-5 (non-residential). LDC §14-4-6.A.3 lists permitted encroachments: roof projections up to 3 ft, balconies/awnings 3 ft, mechanical units 5 ft, stoops/porches 10 ft into front setback..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Kissimmee for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: LDC §14-6-51 (glare performance standard) and §14-7-6 (street lighting) regulate outdoor lighting. Glare from any use is prohibited if it creates a hazard or unreasonable annoyance on neighboring property..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: LDC §14-6-8 governs 'itinerant food vendors' (food trucks) in Kissimmee. Florida HB 1193 (2020) preempts most local food truck regulations — cities cannot require business tax receipts beyond their primary location and cannot impose location restrictions beyond standard zoning..

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Kissimmee does not maintain a city-specific rental registration program. Landlords must obtain a Business Tax Receipt under Ch.

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Kissimmee for details.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Kissimmee, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Kissimmee's city hall or code enforcement office.