Parking Rules: Lakeland vs Winter Haven

Do I need to provide parking?

Check Lakeland STR requirements. Some cities require a parking plan.

What about street parking?

Florida has no statewide limit. Check Lakeland posted restrictions and HOA/CDD rules.

Can Polk County limit how many cars short-term rental guests bring?

Not as an STR-specific cap. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts vacation-rental-only parking ordinances. Polk County does, however, apply its general residential standards: vehicles must be on a paved driveway or in a garage, not on the lawn, and on-street parking is limited to 72 hours under Fla. Stat. 316.1945. STR operators typically specify a guest vehicle limit in their listing equal to driveway capacity.

Where can guests park their car at a Polk County vacation rental?

On a paved driveway or inside a garage. Yard or grass parking is a Polk County Code Enforcement violation regardless of how the property is being used. RVs, boats, and trailers must be in the side or rear yard, set back at least 5 feet from the property line, and not on a public right-of-way for more than 72 hours.

What happens if a guest leaves a car on the street too long?

Florida Statute 316.1945 lets the Polk County Sheriff tag a vehicle parked on a public right-of-way for more than 72 hours as abandoned, and Fla. Stat. 715.07 authorizes towing. The host typically pays the tow bill or charges it to the guest. Repeated street-parking complaints can also trigger Polk Code Enforcement action against the property owner.