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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Haines City, Florida. Short-term rentals operate as a permitted use under Florida state law, with property owners holding the fundamental right to lease their residential properties for periods less than 30 days. The regulatory framework for short-term rentals in Haines City operates primarily at the state and county levels, as Florida law preempts local municipalities from prohibiting vacation rentals or regulating their duration and frequency.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Haines City, Florida

Step 1: Property Assessment and Compliance

Before initiating operations, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your property to ensure it meets all applicable safety and zoning requirements. Verify that your property is suitable for short-term rental use and assess whether any structural modifications are needed to comply with life safety standards.

Step 2: Obtain Required Licenses and Registrations

Polk County Registration: Register your short-term rental property with Polk County, providing proof of ownership or legal authority to rent the property and paying applicable registration fees. This registration serves as your local compliance acknowledgment and establishes your property within the county's short-term rental database.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) License: Obtain the required DBPR license if you plan to rent your property more than three times annually for periods less than 30 days. This involves submitting a comprehensive application, satisfying inspection requirements, and providing proof of liability insurance coverage. The DBPR license validates your property's compliance with state transient public lodging establishment standards.

Step 3: Establish Business Operations

Develop comprehensive operational procedures including guest communication protocols, check-in/check-out processes, cleaning schedules, and maintenance routines. Implement robust record-keeping systems to track bookings, guest information, and financial transactions for tax and regulatory compliance.

Step 4: Implement Revenue Management Systems

Deploy sophisticated pricing strategies based on market analysis, seasonal demand patterns, and competitive positioning. Utilize professional property management software to optimize occupancy rates while maximizing revenue potential, considering Haines City's strong market performance with an average occupancy rate of 48% and daily rate of $201.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation)

DBPR License Application

• Completed application form
• Proof of liability insurance (minimum coverage as specified by DBPR)
• Property ownership documentation or legal lease agreement
• Payment of licensing fees
• Successful completion of required inspections
• Designation of responsible party available 24/7 for emergency contact

Insurance Requirements

• General liability insurance coverage
• Property damage coverage
• Potential additional coverage for rental operations

County-Level Requirements (Polk County)

Registration Documentation

• Completed Polk County short-term rental registration
• Proof of property ownership or legal authority
• Payment of registration fees
• Basic property information including address, specifications, and intended use

Tax Registration and Collection Requirements

Florida Department of Revenue Registration

• Sales tax registration for transient rental transactions
• Tourist development tax registration
• Local discretionary sales surtax registration

Operational Documentation

Guest Agreement Templates

• Comprehensive rental agreements outlining terms and conditions
• House rules and regulations
• Emergency contact information and procedures
• Check-in and check-out protocols

Safety Compliance Documentation

• Fire extinguisher placement and maintenance records
• Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector installation verification
• Pool safety compliance documentation (if applicable)
• Emergency evacuation procedures

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

State Regulations (Florida Statutes Chapter 509)

Definition and Scope: Short-term rentals are defined as "a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days" and applies to properties advertised or held out as regularly rented to guests.

Occupancy Limits: State regulations mandate that maximum overnight occupancy must not exceed either:

• Two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons in one common area, OR
• Two persons per bedroom if there is at least 50 square feet of space per person, plus two additional persons in one common area

Responsible Party Requirement: A designated responsible party must be available by telephone 24 hours daily, seven days weekly, to respond to guest complaints, emergencies, and regulatory inquiries.

Tax Collection Obligations: Hosts must collect and remit state sales taxes and local tourist development taxes, typically ranging between 7.5% and 12% of gross rental revenue.

County Regulations (Polk County)

Registration Requirements: Polk County requires registration of all short-term rental properties operating within county jurisdiction, including those in Haines City.

Fee Structure: Local governments may charge reasonable registration fees to vacation rental owners, with enforcement mechanisms including fines and potential registration suspension for repeated violations.

Advertising and Platform Compliance

Online advertising platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are required to collect and remit taxes on behalf of hosts and ensure that listings comply with state regulations, including displaying appropriate license numbers prominently in all advertisements.

Local Contact Information

Haines City Contact Information

Haines City City Hall

• Phone: (863) 421-3600
• Address: 650 E. Hinson Avenue, Haines City, FL 33844
• Website: www.hainescityfl.gov/
• Email: cityinfo@hainescityfl.gov

Polk County Contact Information

Polk County Planning and Development

• Phone: (863) 534-6080
• Address: 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831
• Website: www.polk-county.net/planning-and-development
• For business tax receipts and registration inquiries

Polk County Tax Collector

• Phone: (863) 534-4700
• Address: 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831
• Website: www.polktax.com/
• For tax registration and collection inquiries

State-Level Contact Information

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

• Phone: (850) 487-1395
• Website: www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/
• For licensing, inspection, and regulatory compliance

Florida Department of Revenue

• Phone: (850) 488-6800
• Website: floridarevenue.com/
• For tax registration and remittance guidance

Source Links

• library.municode.com/fl/haines_city/ordinances/land_development_regulations_ (Haines City Land Development Regulations - Primary Municipal Code)
• www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/haines-city-florida (RedAwning Market Overview - STR Performance Data and Regulatory Summary)
• faca.fl-counties.com/sites/default/files/2018-11/A.Hadeed.Presentation%20Short%20Term%20Vacation%20Rentals.pdf (Florida Association of County Attorneys - Legal Analysis of STR Legislation)

Investment Considerations and Market Outlook

Haines City presents exceptional opportunities for short-term rental investment, with robust market performance driven by strategic proximity to major attractions including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Legoland. The city's average occupancy rate of 48%, combined with daily rates averaging $201, generates substantial monthly revenue potential of approximately $12,781 per property.

The regulatory environment remains investor-friendly, with state preemption preventing local municipalities from prohibiting short-term rentals or imposing unreasonable restrictions on rental duration and frequency. This framework provides certainty for long-term investment planning while ensuring properties must comply with basic safety and tax obligations.

Successful operations in Haines City require diligent compliance with state licensing requirements, county registration obligations, and ongoing operational standards, including designated responsible party availability, safety equipment compliance, and accurate tax collection and remittance.