Short-Term Rentals in Doral, FL

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Doral, Florida, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Noise Rules

Before Doral will register a short-term rental, the owner must acknowledge in writing that making noise above the city's limits is unlawful. Section 5-271(a)(5)e.ii ties that acknowledgement to the general noise ordinance in section 26-128, which treats amplified sound plainly audible 100 feet away between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. as evidence of a violation.

Key details: Acknowledgement required: Owner must confirm noise-ordinance compliance. Quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Audibility standard: Plainly audible at 100 feet. Liable parties: Owner, responsible party, volume operator. Section: Doral Code §§ 5-271(a)(5)e.ii, 26-128.

A noise violation tied to a short-term rental is enforced under Chapter 26's civil fine schedule in section 26-135, issued by a code compliance officer, and it can also expose the property's registration to the general section 5-271(c)(2) fines for a rental-program violation: $500 for a first offense up to $7,500 for a fourth or later offense within 12 months, plus possible injunctive relief.

Doral's short-term rental program only covers stays of seven days to six months; anything shorter is barred outright. Section 5-271(a)(2) defines a 'short term rental or vacation rental' as an occupancy inside that seven-day-to-six-month window, and section 5-271(a)(4) makes renting for fewer than seven days unlawful citywide.

Key details: Minimum stay: 7 days. Maximum stay covered: 6 months. Section: Doral Code § 5-271(a)(2), (a)(4). Exception: Film and print productions. Under 7 days: Prohibited citywide.

Renting a covered dwelling for fewer than seven days is unlawful under section 5-271(a)(4), separate from and in addition to the registration and resort-tax requirements. Violations of the article are enforced under section 5-271(c)(2)'s fine schedule: $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second within 12 months, $5,000 for a third, and $7,500 for a fourth or later offense, with fines the special master cannot reduce, plus possible injunctive relief.

Night Caps

Doral won't let an owner cycle a property through the short-term rental program indefinitely: section 5-271(a)(3) caps registrations at three per single-family, two-family, multi-family, or townhome dwelling within any rolling 12-month period, and every registration only covers one rental period, so an owner who has used all three cannot register that property again until the year rolls over.

Key details: Cap: 3 registrations per dwelling per 12 months. Minimum stay per registration: 7 days. Reset basis: Rolling 12 months, not calendar year. Exceeding cap: $500-$7,500 escalating fines. Section: Doral Code § 5-271(a)(3).

Registering, or allowing occupancy, beyond the three-per-year cap or without a valid registration is enforced under section 5-271(c)(2)'s fine schedule: $500 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second within 12 months, $5,000 for a third, and $7,500 for a fourth or later violation in that period. The special master may not waive or reduce these fines, and the city may seek an injunction in addition to or instead of the fines.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Doral actively enforces its night caps requirements.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Doral makes it unlawful to rent a single-family, two-family, multi-family, or townhome dwelling to a short-term occupant, or to offer that rental, without first registering the property with the city. Section 5-271(a)(3) requires a separate registration for each rental period, caps registrations at three per property per year, and routes applications through the city manager or designee.

Key details: Governing section: Doral Code § 5-271(a)(3). Registration cap: No more than 3 per 12 months. Who applies: Owner or agent, to city manager/designee. Covered stay range: 7 days to 6 months. First-offense fine: $500, rising to $7,500.

Renting without a valid registration, or violating the program's terms, draws escalating civil fines under section 5-271(c): $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second violation within 12 months, $5,000 for a third, and $7,500 for a fourth or later violation in that same 12-month window. The special master cannot reduce or waive these fines. The city may also seek an injunction against a noncompliant owner, and any code compliance officer can issue the violation notice.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Doral fines short-term rental registration violations on an escalating scale under Sec. 5-271(c)(2): $500 for a first offense, up to $7,500 for a fourth or later violation within 12 months, and the special master cannot reduce these amounts.

Key details: First violation fine: $500.00. Second violation (12 mo): $1,500.00. Third violation (12 mo): $5,000.00. Fourth+ violation (12 mo): $7,500.00. Fine waiver allowed: No, special master cannot reduce.

Violating Sec. 5-271 carries a $500.00 fine for a first offense, $1,500.00 for a second within 12 months, $5,000.00 for a third, and $7,500.00 for a fourth or later violation in that period. The special master cannot waive or reduce these fines. The city may also seek an injunction against continued unregistered or noncompliant rental operations, and any code compliance officer may issue the violation notice.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Doral actively enforces its repeat violator strikes requirements.

Taxes & Fees

Doral charges a registration fee for every short-term rental application, with the amount set by city council resolution rather than printed in the code itself. Owners who rent out a covered dwelling under section 5-271 also owe the city's resort tax, and section 5-271(c) makes payment of that tax mandatory and enforceable alongside the registration program.

Key details: Registration fee: Set by council resolution, not fixed in code. Resort tax: Required under § 5-271(c)(1). Unpaid fee result: Application rejected as incomplete. Enforcement: Same $500-$7,500 fine schedule.

Fee and resort-tax violations are enforced through the same fine schedule as other section 5-271 violations: $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second within 12 months, $5,000 for a third, and $7,500 for a fourth or later offense in that period, none of which the special master may reduce. The city may also pursue injunctive relief, and any code compliance officer can issue the violation notice.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Doral requires all short-term rental guest vehicles to be parked in the driveway. Street parking for short-term rental guests is prohibited. Property owners must certify compliance with parking rules as part of the Certificate of Use application, and violations can result in escalating fines and potential Certificate revocation.

Key details: Guest Parking: Driveway only. Street Parking: Prohibited for STR guests. Compliance Affidavit: Required with Certificate of Use. First Violation Fine: $500. Code Compliance: (305) 593-6680.

Parking violations associated with short-term rentals are enforced as Certificate of Use compliance issues: $500 first violation, $2,500 second, $5,000 third, $7,500 fourth within 12 months. Report violations to Code Compliance at (305) 593-6680.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Doral actively enforces its short-term rental parking rules requirements.

Occupancy Limits

Doral regulates short-term rental occupancy under its Code of Ordinances. Occupancy limits are generally tied to the number of bedrooms and must comply with Florida Building Code maximums. Properties must not exceed safe occupancy levels as determined by building code standards.

Key details: Standard: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2. State Law: F.S. 509.032 preemption applies. Resort Tax: 6% Miami-Dade County. HOA Rules: May be more restrictive. Code Compliance: (305) 593-6740.

Occupancy violations are enforced by Code Compliance at (305) 593-6740. Overcrowded rentals may result in fines and operational restrictions. Fire code occupancy violations carry additional penalties from the Fire Department.

The Bottom Line

Doral is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Doral, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Doral's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.