Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Brandon, FL?

• Yes—short‑term rentals (≤7 days) are allowed in Brandon provided the property is located in a zoning district that permits transient rental accommodations and you obtain the required state and county licenses and tax registrations.
• Brandon is an unincorporated community within Hillsborough County; it does not have its own separate STR ordinance. County and state rules apply.
• Critical constraint: you must operate only if your parcel is zoned for transient use. Renting short‑term in a non‑permitted zone can trigger code enforcement and fines. [Eaton Realty] [PMI Hillsborough]

How to start a short‑term rental business in Brandon/Hillsborough

1. Confirm zoning eligibility for transient use

• Verify with the Hillsborough County Land Development Office whether your property is in an approved commercial or residential zone for transient rental accommodations. If it isn’t, you cannot legally operate. [Eaton Realty]

2. Obtain the state vacation rental license (DBPR)

• Apply through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The DBPR issues licenses for “transient rental accommodations” (≤6 months). [Eaton Realty]
• Application portal: Florida Department of Revenue eServices Registration (DR‑1). [Eaton Realty]
• Fees for DBPR lodging licenses vary by unit count and license term; typical range $150–$350 for a single/group license. [Eaton Realty]
• Fee schedule reference: DBPR Hotels & Restaurants Licensing—Lodging Fees. [Eaton Realty]

3. Register for state sales tax and set up tax remittance

• After DBPR licensing, register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect/remit state sales tax on transient rentals. [Eaton Realty]

4. Get a Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

• Apply for the County Business Tax Receipt online or in person at the Tax Collector’s Office. This is required for local business operation. [Eaton Realty] [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]

5. Set up Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collection and remittance

• Collect the 6% Tourist Development Tax on all transient stays ≤6 months in Hillsborough County. Returns are monthly and due by the 20th of the month following collection; owners/operators/managers are responsible for collection and remittance. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]

6. Align with any private restrictions

• Review HOA, condo, co‑op, or lease terms; transient rentals may be prohibited or restricted regardless of zoning. [Eaton Realty] [PMI Hillsborough]

7. Prepare operations for compliance

• Adopt house rules (noise, occupancy), clearly post local rules, and be ready to respond to guest issues and enforcement inquiries. [PMI Hillsborough]

Required documents, permits, licenses, and registrations

• State vacation rental license (DBPR) for transient lodging ≤6 months. [Eaton Realty]
• Florida Department of Revenue registration for sales tax collection (via DR‑1). [Eaton Realty]
• Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt (BTR). [Eaton Realty] [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
• Tourist Development Tax account (6% tax on short‑term stays ≤6 months) with monthly remittance to the Tax Collector. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
• Proof of zoning compliance for transient use (confirm via Land Development Office). [Eaton Realty]
• Note: DBPR lodging licensing is not required when renting out part of your residence while living there; other tax obligations still apply. [Eaton Realty]

Specific regulations: City (none), County, and State

• City level: Brandon has no separate STR ordinance; county/state rules govern. [PMI Hillsborough]
• County level (Hillsborough):
  • Zoning‑based permission: STRs permitted only in zones that allow transient rental accommodations. Verify with the Land Development Office. [Eaton Realty]
  • Tourist Development Tax: 6% on transient stays ≤6 months; monthly returns due by the 20th; owners/operators must collect and remit. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
  • Local Business Tax Receipt: required to operate locally. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
  • Potential local ordinances: any applicable neighborhood rules (noise, light, parking, occupancy) can be enforced by code enforcement and neighborhood associations. [PMI Hillsborough]
• State level (Florida):
  • Licensing: DBPR license required for transient rental accommodations; registration via DR‑1; lodging fee schedule via DBPR. [Eaton Realty] [Eaton Realty]
  • Sales tax: register with Florida DOR to collect/remit state sales tax on transient rentals. [Eaton Realty]
  • Local governments cannot ban STRs or regulate length/frequency of stays, but they may impose rules to mitigate community impacts (e.g., zoning, quiet hours, parking, occupancy). [Eaton Realty]

Taxes, collection, and remittance

• State sales tax: collect and remit per Florida DOR requirements after obtaining the necessary registration. [Eaton Realty]
• Tourist Development Tax (TDT):
  • Rate: 6% on the total rental amount for stays ≤6 months. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
  • Responsibility: owner, operator, property manager, or any person who collects consideration must collect and remit. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
  • Filing: monthly, due by the 20th (delinquent if not paid/postmarked by the 20th). [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
  • Address for Florida DOR correspondence (sales tax): 5483 W Waters Ave, Ste 1210, Tampa, FL 33634‑1236; (813) 901‑1100. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]

Zoning and operational constraints

• Zoning compliance is mandatory; operation in non‑permitted zones is subject to enforcement. [Eaton Realty]
• If renting part of your home while you reside there, DBPR lodging licensing is not required; however, sales tax, TDT (if applicable), and BTR requirements remain. [Eaton Realty]
• HOAs/condos/co‑ops can prohibit or restrict STRs irrespective of zoning; check covenants before listing. [Eaton Realty] [PMI Hillsborough]

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs/taxes)

• Hillsborough County Tax Collector—Tourist Development Tax & Business Tax Receipts:
  • Customer Contact Center: (813) 635‑5200
  • Website: Hillsborough County Tax Collector—Tourist Development Tax (General Information)
  • General contact portal and office locations: Hillsborough County Tax Collector—Contact
• Hillsborough County Land Development Office—Zoning counseling:
  • Website: Hillsborough County Land Development Office—Zoning Counseling
• Florida Department of Revenue (sales tax registration and compliance):
  • Address: 5483 W Waters Ave, Ste 1210, Tampa, FL 33634‑1236
  • Phone: (813) 901‑1100
  • Website: Florida Department of Revenue
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)—Hotels & Restaurants:
  • Address: 1940 North Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
  • Phone: (850) 487‑1395
  • Website: DBPR—Hotels & Restaurants

Source pages (links)

• Hillsborough County Short‑Term Rental Laws (Eaton Realty) [eatonrealty.com/blog/property-management/hillsborough-county-short-term-rental-laws]
• Legal Considerations for Vacation Rental Owners in Brandon, FL (PMI Hillsborough) [brandonvacationrentalmanagementinc.com/blog/legal-considerations-for-vacation-rental-owners-in-brandon-fl]
• Tourist Development Tax—General Information (Hillsborough County Tax Collector) [hillstaxfl.gov/other-services/tourist-development/general-information/]
• DBPR Hotels & Restaurants—Lodging Fees [myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/lodging-fees/]
• Florida DOR eServices Registration (DR‑1) [floridarevenue.com/taxes/eservices/Pages/registration.aspx]
• Hillsborough County Business Tax Services (BTR) [hillstaxfl.gov/taxes/business-tax-services/]
• Hillsborough County Land Development—Zoning Counseling [hillsboroughcounty.org/en/businesses/zoning/zoning-counseling]

Practical reminders for investors

• Confirm zoning first—STRs are a privilege tied to zoning, not an automatic right in residential areas. [Eaton Realty]
• Keep your DBPR license and County BTR current; renew annually. [Eaton Realty]
• Collect and remit TDT (6%) monthly and stay current with Florida sales tax obligations. [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]
• Screen your property documents (HOA/condo/co‑op/lease) for STR restrictions. [Eaton Realty] [PMI Hillsborough]
• Maintain clear guest rules for noise, parking, occupancy, and trash; designate a responsible party to handle issues quickly. [PMI Hillsborough] [RedAwning]

Bottom line for Brandon

• STRs are allowed when (a) the property is zoned for transient rental accommodations, and (b) you hold the proper DBPR license and County BTR, and (c) you comply with state sales tax and the 6% county TDT. Brandon itself has no separate STR rules; compliance is driven by county and state frameworks and any private covenants. [Eaton Realty] [PMI Hillsborough] [Hillsborough County Tax Collector]