Note on scope and sources: This guide synthesizes the provided documents (City of Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022; Volusia County Zoning FAQs; Deltona Legislative update; New Smyrna Beach STR guidance as a regional example). It is investor‑focused and written for Deltona (Volusia County). No outside URLs were fetched; links below come only from the provided sources.

Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Deltona?

• Explicitly: Short‑term rentals ( rentals for fewer than 30 days) are not permitted in single‑family residential zoning classifications in Volusia County, and thus not permitted in Deltona where the same zoning framework applies. The county explicitly states: “No, short‑term rentals are not permitted in single‑family residential zoning classifications… Short‑term rentals are defined as periods of less than 30 days. Contact the zoning office for specific information regarding your property.” [Volusia County FAQ, zoning]. This is the controlling constraint for most residential parcels in Deltona.
• Property‑specific confirmation is mandatory. Use Volusia County’s Connect Live tool with your 12‑digit parcel ID to verify the zoning of your specific address or tax parcel. [Volusia County FAQ, zoning].
• If your property falls within a zoning district that permits hotels or motels as a principal use (e.g., certain commercial, mixed‑use, or multi‑family zones), short‑term rental operation may be possible, subject to all other state and local requirements. Treat any such case as a site‑specific exception that must be confirmed through zoning review. [Volusia County FAQ, zoning].
• Municipal context: Deltona’s Rental Registry Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20‑2022) regulates long‑term residential rentals and specifically excludes “vacation rental” as defined by Florida Statutes from its scope. This underscores that STRs are a matter of state and zoning law in this market, not Deltona’s rental registry. [Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022].
• Legislative update: A pending Deltona ordinance (Ordinance No. 09‑2025, second reading May 5, 2025) would update the city’s rental rules to align with Florida Statutes and mention “Vacation/Short‑Term Rentals,” emphasizing management and safety rather than frequency/duration controls (due to state preemption). Adopt this as a monitoring item; it does not change the underlying zoning restriction that STRs are not allowed in single‑family residential zones. [Deltona legislative record].

Actionable takeaway: In Deltona, most residential property in single‑family zoning cannot operate as an STR. Confirm your property’s zoning first; only proceed if your zoning district allows hotels/motels or an equivalent lodging principal use.

How to start an STR business in this market (if your zoning allows it)

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Use Volusia County’s Connect Live portal with your parcel number. Confirm that your property is in a zoning district that permits hotels or motels as a principal use. If not, do not pursue STR operations in Deltona. [Volusia County FAQ, zoning].

2. Obtain state lodging licensure

• Short‑term rentals are “public lodging establishments” under Florida law and require a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The DBPR offers “Vacation Rental – Single,” “Vacation Rental – Group,” and “Vacation Rental – Collective” license types. Create an account, select the correct license class, and complete the online application. Fees are paid online; use the DBPR fee calculator to estimate costs. [DBPR Lodging Licenses – process and fees; New Smyrna Beach STR guidance overview].

3. Address local business tax receipt (BTR) requirements

• BTR rules vary by municipality and may be updated. New Smyrna Beach (another Volusia municipality) requires both a city Business License Tax Receipt and a DBPR license; the process includes zoning verification, inspection, and a finance department BTR. This illustrates a regional pattern but is not Deltona’s rule. [New Smyrna Beach STR guidance].
• In Deltona, the City’s Ordinance No. 20‑2022 repealed prior BTR provisions for residential rental property; however, a BTR may still be required for businesses, including STRs, under separate city/business regulations. Treat BTR applicability for STRs as a direct‑inquiry item with the City of Deltona Building & Construction Services Department. [Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022, repealers].

4. Planning and safety checks (zoning‑contingent)

• Florida Building Code and Fire Code compliance apply to transient occupancy. If the DBPR licensure process does not trigger local inspections automatically for your specific license class, proactively confirm with Deltona Building & Construction Services and the Fire Marshal that occupancy classification and life‑safety requirements (e.g., egress, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide, fire extinguishers) are met. Note: This step is strongly recommended but specific local inspection triggers are not enumerated in the provided materials.

5. Operational readiness and compliance

• Once licensed, ensure compliance with Florida’s health and safety standards for public lodging, collect/dispay required taxes, maintain guest safety documentation, and implement house rules aligned with local noise, parking, and nuisance controls.

6. Ongoing compliance

• Renew DBPR license as required (per DBPR rules). For any BTR or local registration required by Deltona, renew annually as directed by the city. Maintain current owner/agent contact information with DBPR and the city.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

State (Florida DBPR lodging license)

• DBPR online application (owner and property data).
• License classification selection: Vacation Rental – Single (1–4 units), Vacation Rental – Group (multiple units in same building/complex), or Vacation Rental – Collective (up to 75 units at different addresses in one district).
• Contact information and business entity details (if applicable).
• Rental location address(es) for each unit included in the license.
• Payment of state fees; use DBPR fee calculator for estimates.
• Optional: Disabled Veteran Exemption documentation (DD‑214 and disability verification) if applicable.

Local (Deltona)

• Zoning confirmation (use Connect Live to verify eligible zoning).
• Business Tax Receipt (BTR) applicability to STRs is not clearly stated in the provided materials. Contact the City of Deltona Building & Construction Services Department to confirm whether an STR operating in an eligible zoning district must obtain a city BTR and/or any local registration/inspection.
• Long‑term rental registry and inspections under Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022 do not apply to “vacation rental” as defined by Florida Statutes. [Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022, definitions and exemptions].

Taxes

• Florida state sales tax and any applicable local option surtax must be collected and remitted by the STR operator per Department of Revenue rules (DBPR licensure is separate from tax obligations).

Operational guidelines

• Align house rules with local noise, parking, and community standards. Monitor the city’s legislative updates, as Ordinance No. 09‑2025 suggests continued emphasis on safety, management, and nuisance controls for vacation rentals even under state preemption constraints.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals in this city, county, and state

City of Deltona

• Deltona’s Rental Registry Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20‑2022) focuses on long‑term rental registration and inspections. It specifically excludes “vacation rental” as defined by Florida Statutes from its definition of “rental property.” Consequently, the city’s registry program does not cover STRs; however, the city may still regulate aspects of STR operation through general business, code enforcement, and nuisance powers. [Deltona Ordinance No. 20‑2022].
• Ordinance No. 09‑2025 (pending as of May 5, 2025) would amend Deltona’s rental regulations to incorporate Florida Statutes and references vacation/short‑term rentals, emphasizing safety and management standards rather than limits on frequency or duration (consistent with state preemption). Investors should monitor adoption and implementation. [Deltona legislative record].

Volusia County (unincorporated areas; applies to most Deltona parcels)

• Zoning prohibition in residential zones: “No, short‑term rentals are not permitted in single‑family residential zoning classifications.” STRs are permitted only in zoning districts that allow hotels or motels as a principal use. Always confirm property‑specific zoning. [Volusia County FAQ, zoning].
• Property research tools: Use the Volusia County “Connect Live” portal to look up parcel zoning and permitted uses. The county provides a fee schedule and other land‑development resources on its site. [Volusia County FAQ, zoning].

State of Florida

• STRs constitute “public lodging establishments” and must be licensed by DBPR prior to operation. License classes are Vacation Rental – Single/Group/Collective with detailed application requirements and fees. Florida law preempts local governments from regulating the frequency or duration of vacation rentals; however, municipalities can regulate safety, noise, parking, and similar impacts. [DBPR Lodging Licenses; New Smyrna Beach STR guidance].

Regional practice note (other Volusia cities)

• New Smyrna Beach requires both DBPR licensing and a city Business License Tax Receipt for STRs, including inspection and renewal steps. While this does not apply to Deltona directly, it demonstrates the interplay of state licensing and municipal business tax/reporting requirements common in the region. [New Smyrna Beach STR guidance].

Contact information (local/state authorities)

City of Deltona