Airbnb Laws and Regulations: Hollywood, FL

How does Hollywood Florida define a short-term (Airbnb) rental (STR)?

• Any dwelling unit is designed to be occupied as the residence or living quarters of not more than one family.
• A Transient Public Lodging Establishment (property is rented to guests more than three times a year and for periods of less than 30 days).

Please note that the terms “short-term rental” and “vacation rental” are synonymous.

Source – Hollywood FL Vacation Rental Resource Homepage

Can an investor own more than one Vacation Rental property in Hollywood Florida?

Yes – Hollywood Florida does not require that a Vacation Rental be a primary residence and there are no limits to how many STRs an investor can own and manage. However, Hollywood requires that each STR home have its own separate Vacation Rental License. Source: Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental FAQ (Question 6)

Does the city of Hollywood Florida have any zoning restrictions for Vacation Rentals?

Yes, but they are pretty relaxed. The property must be in the Residential single-family zone (RS) or Residential Multiple Family zone (RM) or located in the white zones on the following interactive zoning map.

Source: Hollywood Florida Zoning and Land Use Map

In Hollywood, Florida, can an investor own and operate their STR properties as a business entity?

Yes. The home owner just needs to submit a notarized letter as part of the application process allowing the LLC/Property Management Company/Vacation Rental Representative to be the entity owning the licensing and management process.

Source: Hollywood FL Vacation Rental License Application Check-List

In Hollywood Florida, can investors register accessory dwelling units (ADU), duplexes, and multi-family homes as Vacation Rentals?

The short answer, is yes. The longer answer:

Hollywood defines a vacation rental as “Any dwelling unit designed to be occupied as the residence or living quarters of not more than one family, that is a transient public lodging establishment, but that is not a timeshare project.”

Hollywood defines a dwelling unit as “A single-family home, a condominium unit, an apartment unit, and each unit of a duplex, triplex or quadplex.” Thus, Hollywood allows various residential building types to be Vacation rentals but each unit must have its own Vacation Rental license. 

Source: 

• Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental FAQ 
• Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental License Regulations

What is Hollywood Florida’s requirement for obtaining a Vacation Rental License?

• Active license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Vacation Rentals current and active certificate of registration with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). Certificate must be in the property owner’s name and list the property address. If the property is managed by someone other than the owner, a certificate for the property manager must be submitted. If property is advertised only on Airbnb, then a DOR certificate is not necessary.
• Evidence of the Vacation Rental’s current and active account with the Broward County Tax Collector, Tourist Development Tax (TDT). If property is advertised only on Airbnb, then a DOR certificate is not necessary.
• Current Broward County Local Business Tax Receipt
• Current City of Hollywood Local Business Tax Receipt
• Interior building sketch by floor. A building sketch (may be hand drawn) by floor shall show floor layout and demonstrate compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in this chapter. The sketch provided shall be drawn to scale, and shall show and identify all bedrooms, bathrooms, other rooms, exits, hallways, stairways, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and exit signage/lighting.
• A sketch showing and identifying all structures, pools, spas, hot tubs, fencing and other uses as well as the number and the location of all on-site parking spaces for the Vacation Rental.
• Acknowledgement that each guest room shall be equipped with an approved listed single-station smoke detector meeting the minimum requirements of the National Fire Prevention Association.
• Is the property within 1,000 feet of any school, designated public school bus stop, day care center, park, playground, or other private or public recreational facility where children regularly congregate? Contact the Hollywood Police Department to verify. yes no
• If Applicant is not a property owner, submit a notarized letter from the property owner designating the Vacation Rental Representative/Property Manager.
• Listings, where the property is advertised, must include a listing number for each website. The State DBPR license number and City Vacation Rental License number must be listed on any and all advertising

What are the costs associated with a Vacation Rental License in Hollywood Florida?

 Source: Hollywood Florida Schedule of Fees and Penalties

Does Hollywood Florida have Vacation Rental occupancy limits?

Yes. The maximum overnight occupancy is 2 times the number of bedrooms and the maximum daytime occupancy is 1.5 times the overnight occupancy. Four children up to age 4 are allowed in addition to either occupancy limits.

Example: 3 bedroom home overnight occupancy = 3 bedroom x 2 occupants per bedroom = 6 overnight occupancy + 4 children up to age 4.

Maximum daytime occupancy = 1.5 x 6 overnight occupancy = 9 daytime occupancy + 4 children up to age 4.

Source: Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental FAQ (Question 5)

Does Hollywood Florida require an inspection for investors to obtain an STR license? What are the physical and structural requirements for a vacation rental?

Yes – an inspection is required.

Please read the following document as it gives a detailed overview of all physical aspects required in a vacation rental inspection: Source: Hollywood FL Vacation Rental Inspection Check-List

Does Hollywood Florida have any responsible agent requirements?

Yes. Every vacation rental representative shall:

(A) Be available by landline or mobile telephone answered by the vacation rental representative at the listed phone number, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to handle any problems arising from the vacation rental; and 6

(B)Be willing and able to be physically present at the vacation rental within 60 minutes following notification from a vacation rental occupant, law enforcement officer, code compliance officer, emergency personnel, or the city for issues related to the vacation rental, and shall actually be physically present at that location in that time frame when requested. The rental agreement, including the date booked and check in and check out schedule, for a current guest shall be made available immediately upon arrival to the City personnel requesting a response. Any violations resulting in fines issued to a tenant where the property owner was advised shall also be the property owner’s responsibility, thereby enabling the property owner to recover the fines via a security deposit; and

(C) Conduct an on-site inspection of the vacation rental at the end of each rental period to assure continued compliance with the requirements of this chapter. (D) Maintain for three years

a log of all guests of the vacation rental to be available for inspection upon request. Any omission of rentals shall be grounds for revocation of the Vacation Rental license.

Source: Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental License Regulations

Does Hollywood Florida have specific insurance requirements for a Vacation Rental?

Yes. A certificate of insurance evidencing insurance coverage to cover liability for injury or harm to occupants and other invitees, and acknowledgment that: 

(i) such liability coverage will be in effect at all times while the property is being used as a Vacation Rental, as evidenced by replacement certificates of insurance to be provided to the City as necessary, and

(ii) a standard homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may not necessarily provide such liability coverage while the property is used as a Vacation Rental.

Source: Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental License Regulations

What are the duration and renewal terms of a Hollywood Florida Vacation Rental license?

The vacation rental license shall expire each September 30, and may be renewed annually thereafter only if the property is in compliance with this chapter and a renewal fee, to be established by resolution of the City Commission, is paid. Renewal will be subject to an annual inspection. If, in connection with the rescheduling of an inspection, the property owner fails to reply to three attempts by the City to contact the property owner, the license for the subject property shall be revoked.

A property owner may apply for a renewal beginning July 1 prior to the expiration of the annual license. Initial applications and renewals received after July 1 of the fiscal year shall be valid for the term expiring on September 30 of the following year. Each application for renewal received after September 30 shall be assessed a late fee of $100.00.

In Hollywood Florida, do Airbnb and VRBO remit taxes on the hosts behalf? Are there any taxes that the host must track and pay directly to Hollywood Florida?

Airbnb and VRBO remit the following taxes on the hosts behalf.

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in the State of Florida will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Florida Transient Rental Tax: 6% of the listing price including any cleaning fee for reservations 182 nights and shorter. For detailed information, visit the Florida Dept. of Revenue website.
• Florida Discretionary Sales Surtax: 0.5%-1.5% of the listing price including any cleaning fee for reservations 182 nights and shorter. The State imposes both a statewide 6% tax and a local 0.5-1.5% tax, which varies by county. For detailed information, visit the Florida Dept. of Revenue website.
• County Tourist Development Taxes collected by the State: 2-5% of the listing price including any cleaning fee for reservations 182 nights and shorter. The state administers 23 county taxes, including: Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Levy, Madison, Okeechobee, Pasco, Sumter, Wakulla, and Washington.

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Broward County, FL will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Broward County Tourist Development Tax: 6% of the listing price including any cleaning fee for reservations 182 nights and shorter in Broward County. For detailed information, please visit the Broward County website.

Source: Airbnb Article Titled “Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Florida”

Who should I contact if I have questions regarding Hollywood Florida Vacation Rentals?

Vacation Rental Licenses:  VRL@hollywoodFL.org & 954-921-3225 

Code Compliance: CodeEnforcement@HollywoodFL.org 954-921-3061

Are there any new laws and regulations that the city is requiring?

Chalet did not see any news about no new recent vacation rental laws and regulations for the city of Hollywood Florida.

Disclaimer: Short-term rental regulations are in a constant state of change. The below resource is updated when possible, but it should not be taken as legal advice. It is critical that you consult with your local lawyer to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to keep your business safe and legal.