How Hollywood Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

Hollywood maintains 116 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Hollywood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Rent Control

Hollywood has no rent control ordinance. Florida preempts all local rent control under Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103, and the 2023 Live Local Act (SB 102) eliminated the housing-emergency exception. HB 1417 (Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444) further preempted local tenant-protection ordinances. Hollywood cannot adopt rent stabilization, rent caps, or any local limit on rent increases.

Key details: State Preemption: Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103 + Sec. 166.0444. Live Local Act: SB 102 (2023) bans local rent control. Hollywood Authority: None — cannot adopt rent control. Notice for Rent Increases: Per lease; 30 days for month-to-month. Rent Caps: No state or local cap.

There is no local rent-control rule to violate — state law bars Hollywood from adopting one. Landlords remain bound by lease terms and required notice before rent increases.

Hollywood is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Just Cause Eviction

Hollywood does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 83, Part II). The 2023 Live Local Act (HB 1417, codified at Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444) preempted local tenant-protection ordinances exceeding state law. Landlords must give a 3-day written notice for non-payment (Sec. 83.56) and 30 days' notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies (Sec. 83.57). Self-help evictions are prohibited under Sec. 83.67.

Key details: Just Cause: No local just-cause eviction law. State Preemption: Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444 (Live Local Act). Non-Payment Notice: 3-day written notice (Sec. 83.56). Month-to-Month Notice: 30 days (Sec. 83.57). Self-Help: Prohibited under Sec. 83.67.

Landlords who use self-help evictions — lockouts, utility shutoffs — face liability under the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; evictions must go through the court process.

The rules around just cause eviction in Hollywood lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

Vacation rentals require a Chapter 119 license ($500 new, $350 renewal). Long-term rentals need a Business Tax Receipt. Vacation rental applications require building sketch, photos, noise monitor, and fire safety equipment. Compliance inspections may be conducted.

Key details: Vacation Rental License: $500 new / $350 renewal. Owner-Occupied: $25. Long-Term: Business Tax Receipt required. Inspections: §119.15 compliance checks. Hotline: 954-231-2375 (24/7).

Operating without required license: code enforcement fines. Non-compliance with Chapter 119: license suspension/revocation.

Compared to other cities, Hollywood takes a harder line on rental registration. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Hollywood gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Hollywood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.