Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Clermont, FL?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Clermont, FL. The City explicitly permits “vacation rentals” for non-occupied, whole-house single-family and duplex units located within Clermont city limits. Vacation rentals must meet city, county, and state requirements, including licensing, life safety inspection, tax registrations, and annual renewal.

Note on fees: The City’s information page and the application checklist contain fee discrepancies (application fee listed as $375 on the information page vs. $300 on the checklist; inspection fee noted as $75 on the checklist vs. “initial inspection” paid with the $375 application fee on the information page). Confirm the current fees directly with the City when you apply.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clermont, FL

1. Confirm eligibility and property constraints

• Allowed unit types: Non-occupied, whole-house single-family or duplex (two-family residential).
• Property must be within Clermont city limits.
• Verify HOA/condo rules; if there is an active HOA, you must indicate whether it allows short-term rentals in your application.

2. Obtain state and county registrations

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): Licensure for a transient public lodging establishment (Vacation Rental). See the VRTSP guide for the specific license category.
• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR): Certificate of registration to report and remit state sales tax. If you use a platform (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) that collects/pays sales tax, you still need an active DOR account to report sales.

3. Handle local taxes

• Lake County Tourist Development Tax (TDT): Required for short-term rentals. If you partner with platforms that collect/pay TDT for you, the City indicates you may not need a separate account with the Lake County Tax Collector. If you manage rentals yourself, you must register and remit TDT with the Lake County Tax Collector.

4. Secure City of Clermont authorizations

• City of Clermont Local Business Tax Receipt.
• Vacation Rental Permit Application + Affidavit of Compliance (notarized).
• Building Permit Application for the Life Safety inspection (describe work as “Life Safety inspection” and complete the Property Information section).

5. Prepare required sketches and inspections

• Exterior sketch: Structures, pools/spas/hot tubs, fencing, uses, and off-street parking.
• Interior sketch: All rooms (labeled), stairs, locations of smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and exit signage/lighting.
• Pass the City’s Life Safety inspection.

6. Submit, pay fees, and schedule inspection

• Submit the complete application package (see Required Documents, below) and fee. Then call to schedule the life safety inspection. Some details (permit fee, inspection fee) vary by source; confirm current fees with the City.

7. Annual renewal

• ALL vacation rentals must be renewed by September 30 each year. Renewal and re-inspection are required annually.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-level

• DBPR license for a transient public lodging establishment (Vacation Rental).
• Florida DOR certificate of registration for sales tax.

County-level

• Lake County Tourist Development Tax account/registration. If using a platform that handles TDT collection/remittance, confirm whether a direct county account is still needed (City guidance suggests it may not be required if you are partnered with such a platform).

City of Clermont

• Vacation Rental Permit Application + Affidavit of Compliance (notarized).
• Building Permit Application for the Life Safety inspection.
• City of Clermont Local Business Tax Receipt.
• Exterior and interior sketches meeting City specifications.
• Proof of ownership (Lake County Property Record card, deed, or tax receipt).
• Responsible party contact information; the responsible party must be available 24/7 and able to respond and take action within 1 hour.
• Property-specific details (address, total bedrooms, parking spaces, occupancy capacity: less than 10 or more than 10 occupants, HOA status and restrictions).

Permit classification

• Occupancy classification appears tied to capacity (less than 10 occupants vs. more than 10 occupants) as indicated on the application form.

Key operational requirement

• Life Safety inspection is mandatory. Submit the building permit application for the Life Safety inspection, complete the interior/exterior sketches, pay applicable fees, and pass the inspection prior to operating.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Clermont

• Eligibility: Vacation rentals are permitted only for non-occupied, whole-house single-family and duplex units within city limits.
• Zoning and unit type: Single-family or duplex (two-family residential); whole house only.
• Responsible party: Must be identified and available 24/7, with ability to act within 1 hour.
• Annual renewal: Required by September 30 each year (renewal and re-inspection).
• Safety requirements: Life Safety inspection is required. Interior sketch must show smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and exit signage/lighting. Exterior sketch must show structures, pools/spas/hot tubs, fencing, and off-street parking areas.
• HOA/condo compliance: Application requires disclosure of active HOA status and whether the HOA allows short-term rentals.

Lake County

• Tourist Development Tax (TDT): Applies to short-term rentals. Registration/remittance responsibilities vary depending on whether a platform collects/pays the tax on your behalf; if you self-manage, you must register with the Lake County Tax Collector.

State of Florida

• DBPR licensure: All transient public lodging establishments (including vacation rentals) must be licensed with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• State sales tax: Short-term rentals are subject to Florida sales tax. You must obtain and maintain an active DOR registration to report and remit taxes.
• Safety codes: Must comply with state life safety codes (e.g., smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, exits/signage, and electrical/building standards as verified by the City’s Life Safety inspection).

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

• City of Clermont – Development Services (Planning & Development)
  • Physical Address: 685 W Montrose Street, Clermont, FL 34711
  • Phone: 352-394-4083
  • Email: Curt Henschel, Planning and Development Director – chenschel@clermontfl.org
• City of Clermont – Main Phone (City Hall): 352-394-4081

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

• Licensing portal for transient public lodging establishments (VRTSP): www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/

Florida Department of Revenue (DOR)

• Certificate of registration guidance/forms: floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800034.pdf

Lake County Tax Collector – Tourist Development Tax

• Information and online resources: laketax.com/tourist-development-tax/

Lake County Property Appraiser (ownership verification)

• Property search: www.lakecopropappr.com/

Links to Source Pages

• City of Clermont – Vacation Rental Information: www.clermontfl.gov/380/Vacation-Rental-Information
• City of Clermont – Vacation Rental Requirements Checklist and Application/Affidavit: www.clermontfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1121
• City of Clermont – Building Permit Application (Life Safety inspection): www.clermontfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Building-Permit-Application-2020-PDF
• Florida DBPR – Vacation Rental Transient Public Lodging Establishments (VRTSP) Guide: www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/
• Florida Department of Revenue – Certificate of Registration (GT-800034): floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800034.pdf
• Lake County Tax Collector – Tourist Development Tax: laketax.com/tourist-development-tax/
• Lake County Property Appraiser – Property Records: www.lakecopropappr.com/

Important notes for investors

• HOA/condo restrictions may prohibit short-term rentals even if the City allows them. Confirm and document HOA approval before purchase or listing.
• Always verify current City fees and inspection scheduling procedures directly with Development Services; fee details in City sources are inconsistent.
• Keep a current annual renewal schedule (due each September 30) and maintain compliance to avoid citations, permit suspension, or revocation.