How Daytona Beach Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide
Daytona Beach maintains 131 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Daytona Beach falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Occupancy Limits
Daytona Beach restricts short-term rentals to designated tourist zoning districts and redevelopment overlay areas (rentals under 6 months are prohibited in residential base zones), but Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts the city from setting STR-only occupancy caps stricter than other dwellings. Within permitted tourist districts, maximum occupancy is governed by the Florida Building Code occupant load and the maximum overnight occupancy declared on the property's DBPR vacation rental dwelling license.
Key details: Zoning: STRs allowed only in tourist zoning districts and redevelopment overlay areas. F.s. 509.032(7)(b): F.S. 509.032(7)(b) preempts STR-only occupancy caps stricter than other dwellings. Limit: Maximum overnight occupancy is set on the DBPR vacation rental dwelling license. Safety: Florida Building Code occupant load governs life-safety capacity. License: DBPR license required under F.S. Chapter 509 for stays under 30 days.
Operating an STR outside a permitted tourist or redevelopment overlay district is a zoning violation enforceable through the Daytona Beach Code Enforcement Board with daily fines and abatement orders. Within permitted zones, exceeding the building-code or DBPR-licensed occupancy can trigger fire-code citations, code-enforcement notices of violation, and suspension or revocation of the city Business Tax Receipt and DBPR vacation rental license. Repeated complaints can be referred to DBPR for state-level action against the vacation rental dwelling license under F.S. 509.261.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Short-term rental properties in Daytona Beach must comply with city parking regulations under Chapter 94. Guest vehicles cannot park in the front yard of residential districts except on approved driveways. On-street parking follows posted time limits and residential permit parking rules.
Key details: Front Yard Parking: Approved driveway only (Sec. 94-181). Street Parking: Per posted signs and permits. Enforcement: Daytona Beach PD / Code Enforcement. Violations: Citations and towing.
The Bottom Line
Daytona Beach's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Daytona Beach is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Daytona Beach 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.