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Lake County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Lake County, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Local operating permit
None: state preempted
State license
DBPR vacation-rental license required
Preemption statute
FS 509.032(7)
County tax account
Lake County TDT required
Applies to
Unincorporated Lake County only

Summary

Florida preempts vacation-rental licensing to the state. Lake County cannot require a local operating permit that bans or limits your rental. You must hold a state DBPR vacation-rental license and register for the county Tourist Development Tax.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lake County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Under FS 509.032(7) the regulation of public lodging is preempted to the state, and counties may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate rental duration or frequency. So Lake County has no permit that can block a lawful STR in the unincorporated area. Operators still need a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants vacation-rental license (FS 509.241), a state sales-tax certificate, and a Lake County Tourist Development Tax account. Inside cities (Clermont, Leesburg, Tavares, Mount Dora), check the city: this page covers unincorporated Lake County only.

Violations & Fines

Operating an unlicensed public lodging establishment is subject to DBPR administrative fines and license suspension under FS 509.261; unpaid county tourist tax accrues penalties and interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lake County refuse to let me run an STR?
No. FS 509.032(7)(b) bars counties from prohibiting vacation rentals or limiting how long or how often you rent, so the county cannot deny a lawful rental.
What license do I actually need?
A Florida DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants vacation-rental license, a Florida sales-tax certificate, and a Lake County Tourist Development Tax account before you take bookings.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lake County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Lake County rules

How Lake County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lake County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview

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