Florida Statute 509.032(7) preempts local regulation of vacation rental duration and frequency, and FS 166.0445 (2023) prohibits cities from imposing inspection-based rental registration programs unless tied to specific code complaints.
For short-term rentals (stays under 30 days, more than three times per year), FS 509.032(7) bars cities from requiring registration any more onerous than for other residential properties, and pre-2011 grandfathered ordinances are the only exception. For long-term rentals, statewide preemption is narrower: cities may require registration if uniform, but cannot impose proactive inspection mandates beyond what state housing code allows. Vacation rentals are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation under Chapter 509, and tax registration with DOR is mandatory statewide.
Operating an unlicensed vacation rental violates FS 509.241; first offense up to $1,000 plus DOR sales-tax penalties.
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