How Hollywood Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Hollywood maintains 116 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. 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.

Insurance Requirements

Hollywood FL's Vacation Rental License Program (Chapter 119) requires property owners to meet safety and compliance standards but does not mandate a specific insurance amount. License fees include: new license $500, renewal $350, owner-occupied $25, initial inspection $225. A noise detection device is mandatory.

Key details: New License Fee: $500. Renewal Fee: $350. Owner-Occupied: $25 new/renewal. Initial Inspection: $225. Noise Monitor: Required — 180-day data retention.

Operating without a vacation rental license: subject to code enforcement fines. Non-compliance with safety requirements: license may be suspended or revoked.

Parking Rules

Vacation rental guests in Hollywood must park on improved surfaces (concrete, asphalt, pavers) only. Parking on grass is prohibited citywide. Vehicles must be parked on a driveway, in a carport, or in a garage. Right-of-way parking is limited to 24 hours. Boats and RVs have separate restrictions.

Key details: Surface Required: Concrete, asphalt, or pavers only. Grass Parking: Prohibited — common violation. ROW Parking: 24-hour maximum. RVs/Boats: 1 per property, screened from view. RV Height: 12 feet max in residential areas.

Lawn parking is a common citation. Vehicles on grass are subject to immediate code enforcement action. Repeated parking violations may affect the vacation rental license.

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

Night Caps

Hollywood does not cap the total number of nights a licensed vacation rental may be rented per year. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) bars cities from regulating the duration or frequency of vacation rentals. Hollywood's grandfathered Chapter 119 program instead defines a vacation rental as any property rented under 30 days more than three times per year, which triggers licensing rather than a usage cap.

Key details: Local Night Cap: None. Annual Booking Cap: None for licensed rentals. State Preemption: F.S. 509.032(7)(b) bars duration/frequency limits. License Trigger: More than 3 rentals/year of <30 days. Definition Source: Hollywood Code Sec. 119.10.

Renting under 30 days more than three times in a year without a Vacation Rental License is a Chapter 119 violation enforceable through Code Compliance with daily fines, license denial, and liens under F.S. 162. Florida law (F.S. 509.032(7)(b)) prevents enforcement of any local night cap; complaints alleging violation of a non-existent night limit will not result in a citation.

The rules around night caps in Hollywood lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Registration Rules

Hollywood requires a Vacation Rental License under Chapter 119 of the Code of Ordinances before any property may be advertised or rented for periods under 30 days more than three times per year. Owners must apply online through the city portal, hold a state DBPR transient public lodging license under F.S. 509.241, obtain City and Broward County Business Tax Receipts, pass a residential inspection, and install a noise-monitoring device. Licenses run for one year and are non-transferable.

Key details: Local Authority: Hollywood Code Chapter 119. License Required: Yes, before advertising or renting. Trigger Threshold: Rented under 30 days more than 3 times/year. State Preemption Status: Grandfathered under F.S. 509.032(7)(b) (pre-2011). DBPR License: Required under F.S. 509.241 (owner-occupied exempt).

Operating or advertising a vacation rental without a city license is enforceable under Chapter 119 and Chapter 37 (Code Enforcement) with daily fines, license revocation, and lien actions under F.S. 162. Inspection failures must be re-inspected within 30 days. Operating with a convicted sex offender among occupants is grounds for immediate license revocation per the city's required occupant posting.

This is one of the stricter rules in Hollywood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Permit Requirements

Hollywood requires a 3-license package for STRs: (1) Hollywood Vacation Rental License, (2) Broward County Business Tax Receipt, and (3) FL DBPR license. A separate license is required for each property. Applies to units rented less than 30 days more than 3 times per year. Non-owner-occupied license fee: $850 initial / $550 renewal. Owner-occupied: $100.

Key details: Code: Hollywood Code Chapter 119. Non-Owner Fee: $850 initial / $550 renewal per unit. Owner-Occupied Fee: $100 per unit. 3 Licenses Required: Hollywood + Broward County + FL DBPR. Contact: hollywoodfl.org/946.

Operating without required licenses subjects owner to fines and license revocation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hollywood actively enforces its permit requirements requirements.

Taxes & Fees

Total tax burden for STRs in Hollywood is 13%: 6% FL state sales tax + 1% Broward County surtax + 6% Broward County Tourist Development Tax. Airbnb/VRBO collect taxes for their platform; independent operators must remit directly. FL DBPR license required.

Key details: Total Tax Rate: 13% (6% state + 1% surtax + 6% TDT). FL Sales Tax: 6% (platforms collect for Airbnb/VRBO). Broward TDT: 6% Tourist Development Tax. Independent Operators: Must remit taxes directly to FL DOR.

Late filing penalties apply after the 20th of the month. Failure to collect or remit taxes may result in state and county penalties, interest, and potential license revocation.

Occupancy Limits

Hollywood FL Chapter 119 defines a vacation rental as a dwelling unit for not more than one family or transient lodging renting under 30 days more than three times annually. Occupancy is regulated through the license application process, which requires a building sketch identifying all bedrooms.

Key details: Definition: Renting <30 days, >3 times/year. Floor Plan: Required with application. Bedroom Photos: Required for all rooms. Per-Property License: Each property separate. Governing Code: Ch. 119.

Exceeding occupancy limits based on the licensed floor plan is a violation of the vacation rental license conditions. The license may be suspended or revoked.

Noise Rules

Hollywood FL requires all vacation rentals to install noise level detection devices under Chapter 119. Nighttime limits are 55 dBA/dBC (10 PM-7 AM) and daytime 65 dBA/dBC (7 AM-10 PM). The 24/7 complaint hotline is 954-231-2375. Property owners have 30 minutes to respond to reported issues.

Key details: Night Limit: 55 dBA/dBC (10 PM – 7 AM). Day Limit: 65 dBA/dBC (7 AM – 10 PM). Noise Monitor: Required with 180-day data retention. Response Time: 30 minutes to complaints. Hotline: 954-231-2375 (24/7).

Noise violations: $100/$500/$1,000 escalating fines. Failure to install noise detection device: license violation. Non-response within 30 minutes to complaints: additional penalties.

This is one of the stricter rules in Hollywood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Hollywood is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Hollywood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Hollywood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.