Permit Requirements: Lakeland vs Winter Haven
How do permit requirements rules compare between Lakeland, FL and Winter Haven, FL?
Lakeland has fewer restrictions than Winter Haven.
Lakeland, FL
Polk County
Lakeland has no city-specific short-term rental ordinance. Florida Statute §509.032 preempts local governments from regulating STRs based on stay length or rental frequency. State-level: Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license required if rented more than 3 times per year for stays under 30 days.
View full Lakeland rules →Winter Haven, FL
Polk County
Winter Haven does not currently have a city-specific short-term rental (Airbnb/Vrbo) ordinance beyond requiring a Business Tax Receipt under Chapter 9. State requirements include a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Vacation Rental license under FS Ch. 509 for any whole-unit rental under 30 days, more than three times per year.
View full Winter Haven rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakeland | Winter Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Local Permit | None required | - |
| State Preemption | FL §509.032 | FS §509.032 (HB 1537, 2024) |
| DBPR License | If >3x/yr <30 day | - |
| Local Tax | Tourist Dev. Tax (Polk) | - |
| Local Code | - | Ch. 9 BTR + Ch. 21 zoning |
| State License | - | DBPR Vacation Rental (FS Ch. 509) |
| State Sales Tax | - | 6% |
| County Tourist Tax | - | 5% |
| Combined Tax | - | 11% |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakeland FAQ
Do I need a Lakeland STR permit to host on Airbnb?
No. Lakeland has no city-specific STR ordinance because Florida Statute §509.032 preempts local governments from regulating short-term rentals based on stay length or rental frequency. State and county tax obligations still apply.
What state-level license do I need?
If you rent property more than three times in a year for stays under 30 days, you need a Vacation Rental license from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Winter Haven FAQ
Do I need a permit to Airbnb in Winter Haven?
You need a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license, a Florida sales tax certificate, Polk County Tourist Development Tax registration, and a Winter Haven Business Tax Receipt. Winter Haven does not currently require a separate STR registration.
What taxes do I collect on a Winter Haven Airbnb?
11% total - 6% Florida state sales tax plus 5% Polk County Tourist Development Tax. Airbnb/Vrbo collect and remit most of these automatically, but verify in your platform settings.
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