Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License — Complete Guide for 2026
Every short term rental property in Florida requires a state vacation rental license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before legally accepting guests. Here is a step-by-step guide.
Who Needs a DBPR License?
Any property rented more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 consecutive days or nights requires a Florida DBPR vacation rental license. This applies regardless of whether you rent through Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or direct booking.
Application Process
Step 1 — Online Application: Submit your application at myfloridalicense.com under the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants. You will need the property address, owner information, property details (bedrooms, bathrooms, maximum occupancy), and acknowledgment of applicable laws.
Step 2 — Pay the Application Fee: Current fees are approximately $155 for the initial application and $155 for annual renewal. Verify the current fee schedule directly with DBPR.
Step 3 — Schedule the State Inspection: After submitting your application, a DBPR inspector will contact you to schedule a property inspection. Inspections typically occur within two to six weeks.
Step 4 — Pass the Inspection: The inspection covers: smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room, carbon monoxide detectors on every floor, fire extinguisher accessible to guests, pool barrier/fencing if the property has a pool, emergency egress from sleeping areas, and general safety and habitability.
Step 5 — Receive Your License: Once you pass inspection, your license is issued. You must display your license number in any online listing or advertisement for the property.
Annual Renewal
DBPR vacation rental licenses must be renewed annually. Edge tracks renewal dates for every property we manage and handles the renewal process on the owner's behalf.
Common Reasons for Inspection Failure
Missing smoke detectors in sleeping areas, no carbon monoxide detector, pool without compliant barrier fencing, no accessible fire extinguisher, inadequate emergency egress from sleeping rooms. All of these are fixable before inspection. Edge reviews every new property for inspection readiness as part of the onboarding process.
