Orlando, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Orlando, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Residential STRs
- Generally prohibited
- Allowed zones
- Tourist commercial near I-Drive
- State license
- DBPR vacation rental license
- Preemption statute
- Florida Statute 509.032(7)
- Grandfathering
- Pre-2011 local rules preserved
Summary
Orlando bans short-term rentals in most residential zones, with limited grandfathered areas, and requires state DBPR licensing plus city registration where allowed, all subject to Florida Statute 509.032 preemption.
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. The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments... is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not preempt the authority of a local government or local enforcement district to conduct inspections of public lodging and public food service establishments for compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Full Breakdown
Orlando heavily restricts short-term rentals (under 30 days) in residential zoning districts. Most single-family residential zones do not permit STRs at all, with rentals only allowed in specifically zoned tourist commercial areas near International Drive, Universal, and the Orange Blossom Trail corridor. Where allowed, operators must obtain a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) vacation rental license, register with the City of Orlando, and collect tourist development tax, sales tax, and discretionary sales surtax. Florida Statute 509.032(7) preempts local regulation of vacation rental operations, but allows local zoning that existed before 2011 and registration requirements. Senate Bill 280, considered in 2024, attempted further preemption but was vetoed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my Orlando home on Airbnb?
Where in the Orlando area are vacation rentals allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orlando
How Orlando compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orlando to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle short-term rental permits.