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Deland, FL

Challenging To Investors

Deland, Florida skyline

STR Regulations for Deland, Florida

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in DeLand, Florida?

Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are not allowed on single-family residential property in DeLand or unincorporated Volusia County. Volusia County zoning treats short-term rentals as a hotel/motel use; therefore, they are only permissible in zoning districts where hotels or motels are a permitted principal use. In practical terms, you can operate an STR only if your parcel is zoned for commercial lodging uses (e.g., tourist commercial or commercial mixed-use categories that expressly permit hotels/motels). Residential zoning—single-family, duplex, and multifamily—does not allow short-term rentals.

Within the City of DeLand, city-level zoning determines use permissions; however, DeLand’s STR rules are not provided in the sources here. As a result, any DeLand property must independently comply with Volusia County zoning or the City of DeLand’s zoning for STR operations. If the property is in unincorporated Volusia County, Volusia County zoning controls. If inside a city boundary, confirm city zoning and any city-level licenses.

  • Legal basis: Volusia County zoning FAQ (see References) clarifies: short-term rentals are not permitted in single-family residential zoning classifications and are only allowed where hotels or motels are a permitted principal use. Short-term rentals are defined as less than 30 days.
  • Enforcement: If you list or operate an STR in prohibited residential zones, you risk code enforcement, cease-and-desist orders, and penalties.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Deland?

Deland hosts earn a median $26,217/year with $134 ADR and 66% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $36,425+ per year.

See the full Deland market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in DeLand (and Volusia County)

  1. Verify zoning before acquisition or investment.
  • Obtain the 12-digit tax parcel ID and use Volusia County’s Connect Live portal to look up the zoning classification (see References).
  • Confirm that the zoning district permits hotels/motels as a principal use. If the property is inside the City of DeLand, confirm the city zoning and any city-specific rules (not provided in the sources here).
  • If the site is in unincorporated Volusia County and zoned residential (e.g., single-family), an STR is not permitted.
  • Contact the Zoning Technician at 386-736-5959 Ext. 12719 or zoning@volusia.org for definitive zoning guidance.
  1. Secure required state and county accounts and licenses.
  • Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) Sales Tax Number: Required before you can register for Volusia County’s Tourist Development Tax. Register at dor.myflorida.com/taxes or call the local office at 386-274-6600.
  • Volusia County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Account: Register and file returns online via the Excise system (see References). Most STR operators remit monthly; quarterly filing is allowed if annual tax collected is under $1,000. Returns are due by the 20th of the month following collection.
  • Florida DBPR (Hotels & Restaurants Division): All transient rentals must register with DBPR. Properties with five or more units or that operate for fewer than 30 days generally require a lodging license. Confirm whether a vacation rental license is required for your specific operation using the DBPR portal (see References).
  • Local Business Tax Receipt (Volusia County or city): A local business tax receipt is required. If inside DeLand city limits, contact DeLand for the local business tax receipt requirements (city contact information not provided in the sources here).
  1. Set up tax collection and remittance.
  • Collect a total 12.5% tax on transient stays:
    • 6% Volusia County Tourist Development Tax (remitted to Volusia County Treasury & Billing).
    • 6.5% Florida State Sales Tax (remitted to Florida DOR).
  • Online platforms: Airbnb and VRBO (HomeAway) collect and remit county TDT on your behalf (Airbnb began 2/1/2020; VRBO began 1/1/2020). Other platforms typically do not remit county TDT; confirm and remit yourself via Excise if necessary.
  • Filing cadence:
    • Monthly due by the 20th of the following month.
    • Quarterly option if annual collections are under $1,000 (due dates: April 20, July 20, October 20, January 20).
  • Collection allowance: 2.5% of tax collected, up to $30, when filing and paying electronically on time.
  1. Compliance infrastructure.
  • Maintain records for three years: guest records, ledgers, tax filings/payments, and federal returns; make them available for audit.
  • Monitor website listings to ensure platform-collected taxes are properly remitted. Confirm with each platform.
  • Property insurance and HOA/condo bylaws can impact operations; verify use restrictions separately.
  1. If inside City of DeLand (city-level).
  • Because city-specific STR rules are not provided, contact DeLand’s planning/zoning and revenue offices to confirm:
    • Whether an occupancy license or city registration is required.
    • Minimum stay rules, if any, and zoning compliance.
    • Local business tax receipt requirements and renewal cadence.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Building and zoning compliance:

    • Volusia County zoning confirmation for STR use (hotel/motel-permitted zoning).
    • If inside DeLand, city zoning confirmation and any city-specific approvals.
    • Site plan and current parcel survey (signed/sealed, dated within 5 years) for any building permit.
    • Flood zone, setbacks, and dimensional compliance; use the zoning lookup links to confirm standards.

  • State and county tax and license accounts:

    • Florida DOR Sales Tax Number ( prerequisite for county TDT account).
    • Volusia County TDT account with Excise online filing and payment.
    • Florida DBPR registration and applicable lodging license.
    • Volusia County Business Tax Receipt (and any city business tax receipt if inside DeLand).

  • Tax remittance:

    • Monthly or quarterly TDT returns (due by the 20th).
    • Electronic filing and payment to qualify for the 2.5% collection allowance.
    • Confirm platform remittance for county TDT if using Airbnb/VRBO; handle county TDT for other platforms.

  • Recordkeeping:

    • Guest logs, booking records, ledgers, returns, and payment confirmations retained for three years.

Specific Regulations (DeLand, Volusia County, and Florida)

  • City of DeLand:

    • No specific city STR rules are included in the sources here; therefore, investors must verify zoning (city or county) and any city licensing, registration, or occupancy requirements directly with DeLand.

  • Volusia County:

    • STRs are prohibited in single-family residential zoning.
    • STRs are only permitted where hotels/motels are a permitted principal use.
    • STR is defined as rental for less than 30 days.
    • TDT applies to stays of six months or less; register and remit via Excise.
    • Building setbacks, flood zones, and accessory structure rules (e.g., fences, sheds, pools) follow the zoning ordinance; use the zoning lookup tools and contact zoning@volusia.org for site-specific guidance.

  • State of Florida:

    • DBPR regulates transient lodging; registration is required, and lodging licenses are required for certain properties (e.g., five or more units; short-term operations under 30 days; specific circumstances for vacation rentals).
    • Florida Statutes (Chs. 125, 212) and DOR rules govern TDT administration and enforcement.
    • Penalties and interest apply for late or non-filing: minimum penalty $50 or 10% of tax due, whichever is greater; interest accrues at the market rate adjusted semi-annually.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

  • Volusia County Zoning (Growth and Resource Management)

    • Phone: 386-736-5959 Ext. 12719
    • Email: zoning@volusia.org
    • Zoning lookup: Connect Live – Zoning (see References)
    • Use the 12-digit tax parcel ID for property zoning verification.

  • Volusia County Treasury & Billing (Tourist Development Tax)

    • Director: Craig Baumgardner, CEL
    • Address: Historic Courthouse, 125 W. New York Ave., Room 120, DeLand, FL 32720
    • Phone: 386-943-7085
    • Email: treasury@volusia.org
    • TDT Excise online filing/payment: see References

  • Florida Department of Revenue (local office)

    • Phone: 386-274-6600
    • Sales Tax registration: dor.myflorida.com/taxes

  • Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)

    • Lodging licenses/registrations: myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/services-requiring-a-dbpr-license

  • Volusia County – General Contact

    • Phone: 386-736-2700
    • Address: 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm

Source Pages and Links (References)

Notes and disclaimers:

  • City-specific DeLand STR rules are not included in the provided sources; investors must confirm with DeLand planning/zoning and revenue offices if the property lies within city limits.
  • Platform tax remittance status can change; verify each platform’s current practices directly.
  • Zoning and code compliance can vary block-by-block; use the parcel-based lookup and contact zoning before purchasing or listing.

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Deland

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
0/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
View Full Deland Market Analysis

Photos of Deland

Overview of Deland

DeLand sits in central Volusia County, Florida, serving as the county seat with a population of roughly 35,000 residents. The city has a notably walkable, small-town feel, anchored by brick-lined streets, locally owned storefronts, oak canopies, and the historic campus of Stetson University. Long associated with the skies above it, DeLand carries the unofficial title of the "Skydive Capital of the World," a reputation built on decades of jumps at its municipal airport. Geographically, it functions as a useful inland base between two heavy-hitting Florida destinations: Orlando lies approximately 35 miles to the south, while the Atlantic beaches of Daytona Beach are about 25 miles to the east.

One of the defining fixtures in and around DeLand is Stetson University, Florida's oldest private college and the place where the Stetson hat brand got its start. The leafy campus, with its grand Spanish Renaissance buildings and the stately Walter T. McMurry House, hosts lectures, concerts, and sporting events that draw visitors year-round. Visitors can stroll the grounds, attend a performance, or take in rotating exhibits at the on-campus Gillespie Museum of Minerals, all just minutes from downtown.

Just a short drive north of the city, Blue Spring State Park is one of Central Florida's most celebrated natural attractions. The park centers on a crystalline spring that keeps the run at a steady 72 degrees, and in the cooler months it becomes a favored wintering site for West Indian manatees. Swimming, tubing, canoeing, and short nature trails make it a year-round draw, and the park is roughly 10 to 15 minutes from downtown DeLand.

To the west, De Leon Springs State Park offers a more nostalgic Florida experience. The park is best known for the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, where guests cook their own pancakes at griddles built right into the table. Beyond the restaurant, visitors can swim in the spring, rent kayaks or paddleboards, and explore short trails through hardwood hammock, all about 20 minutes from the city center.

Downtown DeLand itself is one of the region's most photographed main streets, lined with antique shops, art galleries, breweries, and the restored [Athens Theatre](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens_Theatre_(DeLand,_Florida). A regular calendar of festivals, farmers markets, and evening events keeps the district active in every season.

DeLand works as a short-term-rental base precisely because it offers something its louder neighbors do not: a calm, walkable, character-rich town within easy reach of the springs, the beaches, and the theme parks. Travelers can spend the morning on a quiet nature trail, the afternoon browsing downtown, and the evening at a sky-dive center, all without ever needing to change lodging.

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