Short-term rentals are allowed in Hialeah, Florida, but they are regulated at the state and Miami‑Dade County level. As of 2025, there is no Hialeah‑specific short‑term rental ordinance in the provided materials, and the City directs property owners to the State and County for licensing and standards. Practically, operating a compliant STR in Hialeah means meeting Florida’s vacation rental licensing and tax rules, and Miami‑Dade County’s vacation rental regulations and Certificate of Use (CU) program.

Below is a practical, step‑by‑step guide for investors.

How to start a short-term rental business in Hialeah

1. Confirm zoning and property eligibility

• Ensure the property is permitted for residential short‑term rentals and that HOA/condo rules allow STRs.
• For properties within a municipality like Hialeah, Florida Statutes §509.032(7)(b) requires compliance with any local short‑term rental regulations; the county ordinance clarifies those requirements for unincorporated areas and is the current operational framework in Hialeah in the absence of a city‑specific ordinance.

2. Obtain the required Florida vacation rental license

• Register with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) as a transient public lodging establishment if you are renting the whole property to transients for fewer than 30 days, more than three times a year. DBPR’s Vacation Rental Checklist (C1030) details the application steps.

3. Register for state and county tourist taxes

• Florida sales tax applies. If your property is in Hialeah (Miami‑Dade County), you must also register for and collect Miami‑Dade’s Convention and Tourist Development taxes (also called “transient rentals tax” or “bed tax”). This is done through the Tourist Tax Account process.

4. Apply for Miami‑Dade County Certificate of Use (CU)

• You must obtain a County CU before listing and advertising a property as a vacation rental. The County will schedule an inspection as part of CU issuance.

5. Prepare for safety, occupancy, and compliance

• Meet occupancy limits and safety requirements (including pool safety, posted rules, and guest checks). Adopt operating procedures: nightly rate setting and minimum stays, guest screening, booking recordkeeping, noise/parking enforcement, and rapid violation response 24/7.

6. Market and list

• Only advertise after the CU is approved. Post required information inside the property (responsible party contact, maximum occupancy). Comply with zoning sign limitations.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Florida licensing and registration

• DBPR Vacation Rental License (C1030 checklist)
  • Purpose: Authorizes operating a transient public lodging establishment in Florida.
  • Key items typically include proof of property control, proof of fire safety compliance for the unit, and payment of fees.

Miami‑Dade County vacation rental Certificate of Use (CU)

• CU application (online portal; submit prior to advertising)
• Inspection component (scheduled by the County)
• Fee: CU fee $36.70; inspection $89.97 plus $9.50 surcharge = total $136.17. CU renewal is annual and at the same cost.
• Approval conditions:
  • Property must pass inspection.
  • No outstanding fines or liens related to the vacation rental code may exist.
• Display requirement: When the property is in use as a vacation rental, the CU must be displayed inside the unit in a conspicuous location, clearly visible to guests. It must show the responsible party’s name, address, phone number, and maximum occupancy.

County‑required documentation and records

• Proof of ownership and identification
• Property floor plan and occupancy calculation
• Fire safety plan compliance for the unit
• Proof of insurance (recommended; verify if required by local rules)
• Guest register: Maintain a register of all guest names and dates of stay, open for County inspection
• 24/7 response commitment for violations

Safety and compliance obligations

• Swimming pools:

  • If the STR has a pool, you must have at least one of the safety features listed in Florida Statutes §515.27 (pool safety barrier, safety cover, alarm, or door latch/alarm) in place before any person under age six uses the property.
  • You must also comply with Miami‑Dade County pool fence requirements and other residential codes for solid waste, noise, public nuisance, parking, advertising, and pets.

• Occupancy limits:

  • Maximum overnight occupancy: Up to 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons per property, capped at 12 persons. Children under 3 are excluded from the count.

• Sexual offender and predator screening:

  • Responsible party must obtain confirmation from a law enforcement agency that a prospective guest is not a registered sexual offender or sexual predator.
  • If the STR is within 2,500 feet of a school, it is a violation to allow a registered sexual offender or predator to occupy the property for 4 or more days in any month.

Posting and notice requirements

• Responsible party information and maximum occupancy posted inside the rental
• Written guest notice of local standards and regulations (noise, public nuisance, parking, solid waste, common area usage), provided before occupancy and posted inside the unit
• Notice to guests of any property limitations on disabled access when listing the property
• Notice to the homeowners’ or condominium association (if any) that the property will be used as a vacation rental, and compliance with all association STR policies

Specific regulations (city, county, state)

State of Florida

• Licensing: DBPR regulates “transient public lodging establishments” under Florida Statutes §509.013(4) and §509.032. Licensing is required to rent to transients for fewer than 30 days more than three times per year.
• Taxes: Florida sales tax applies; Miami‑Dade Convention and Tourist Development (bed) tax applies to transient rentals in the county.
• Pool safety: Required pool safety feature per Florida Statutes §515.27 for properties rented to guests under age six.

Miami‑Dade County (operational framework for Hialeah)

• Ordinance authority: County Code Chapter 33, Article I, Section 33‑28 (Vacation Rentals).
• Key CU and licensing prerequisites: DBPR license, Tourist Tax Account registration, and County CU.
• Responsible party residency restriction (limited):
  • In properties designated as Estate or Low Density Residential on the County’s CDMP Land Use Plan Map, the responsible party must reside for more than six months per year in the property being offered as a vacation rental. There are no residency restrictions in other land use categories.
• Posting, notice, guest registry, and 24/7 violation response obligations.
• Enforcement and penalties (civil fines per Chapter 8CC):
  • Operating without a CU:
    • First offense: $100
    • Second offense within 24 months: $1,000
    • Third offense within 24 months and subsequent offenses: $2,500
  • Liens may be placed on the property if fines and costs are not paid or violations corrected.

City of Hialeah (municipal)

• The provided content does not include a Hialeah‑specific STR ordinance. In the absence of a city‑published STR regime, property owners must comply with Florida and Miami‑Dade County requirements. Because municipalities retain the right to regulate STRs (Florida Statutes §509.032(7)(b)), investors should confirm directly with Hialeah whether any local licensing, zoning, or registration applies.

Taxes and business registration

• Florida sales tax: Collected on transient rentals and remitted to the Department of Revenue.
• Miami‑Dade Convention and Tourist Development tax: Required for transient rentals; register for the Tourist Tax Account and collect and remit monthly.
• Operational tip: Major booking platforms (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) often collect and remit certain taxes on behalf of hosts. You remain responsible for compliance and should verify what is collected automatically versus what you must remit directly.

Enforcement and penalties

• Miami‑Dade enforces violations of the County’s vacation rental ordinance and related codes:
  • CU requirements, posting, notice, guest registry, occupancy, noise, parking, solid waste, advertising, and pool safety.
  • Penalties for operating without a CU are detailed above; other violations fall under the general civil penalties schedule in Chapter 8CC.
• In addition to fines, failure to resolve violations can lead to liens and potential loss of the CU.

Step-by-step licensing and compliance workflow in Hialeah

1. Pre‑application

• Check zoning/HOA rules and confirm eligibility for STR use.
• Review Florida Statutes and County Code obligations.

2. State license and tax setup

• Apply for DBPR vacation rental license (C1030).
• Set up Florida sales tax and Miami‑Dade Tourist Tax Account for tax collection.

3. CU application and inspection

• Submit the County CU application before listing or advertising.
• Prepare the property for inspection (life‑safety, occupancy, postings).
• Post the CU inside the unit upon issuance.

4. Operating policies

• Implement guest screening (including sexual offender checks where applicable).
• Maintain guest registry and publish required notices.
• Adopt written rules (quiet hours, parking, trash), and provide 24/7 violation response.

5. Renewal and recordkeeping

• Renew the County CU annually.
• Keep records (guest registry, tax filings, communications) available for inspection.

Key contacts and resources

City of Hialeah (general municipal contact)

• Phone: 305‑887‑9001
• Website: www.hialeahfl.gov/
• Address: Hialeah City Hall, 501 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010

Miami‑Dade County (vacation rentals and CU)

• Neighborhood Regulations Division (report violations; STR compliance questions): 786‑315‑2552
• 311 Contact Center (general information and complaints): 311
• Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER)
  • Stephen P. Clark Center: 111 NW 1st Street, 11th Floor, Miami, FL 33128 — 305‑375‑2877
  • Herbert S. Saffir Permitting and Inspection Center: 11805 SW 26 Street, Miami, FL 33175 — 786‑315‑2000
  • Department email: Use 311 contact for routing; consult County site for current forms/contacts

Florida State (licensing and taxes)

• DBPR Vacation Rental Licensing (C1030) — see references for link
• Florida Department of Revenue — see references for link

References and source links

• Miami‑Dade County – Residential Short‑Term Vacation Rentals (standards, CU, inspections, enforcement): www.miamidade.gov/building/standards/residential-short-term-vacation-rentals.asp
• Miami‑Dade County Code of Ordinances – Section 33‑28 (Vacation Rentals): library.municode.com/fl/miami_-dade_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH33ZO_ARTIINGE_S33-28VARE
• Miami‑Dade County Ordinance (vacation rentals, background): www.miamidade.gov/govaction/matter.asp?matter=172425&file=false&fileAnalysis=false&yearFolder=Y2017
• Miami‑Dade CDMP Land Use Plan Map (for responsible‑party residency restriction): gisweb.miamidade.gov/landmanagement/
• Florida Statutes §515.27 (Pool safety feature requirement): www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_Mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0515/Sec27.htm&StatuteYear=2001
• DBPR Vacation Rental Licensing Checklist (C1030): www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1030&clientCode=2006&XACT_DEFN_ID=7717
• Florida Department of Revenue (taxes): floridarevenue.com/taxes/Pages/default.aspx
• Hialeah Rent Increase Notice Ordinance (municipal context): www.hialeahfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14680/Ordinance-2022-018-PDF

Investor takeaway

• Hialeah STRs are allowed but must meet state and county standards. Obtain the DBPR license, register for taxes, and secure the Miami‑Dade County CU before listing. Operate within occupancy and safety limits, maintain required notices and guest records, and be prepared for inspections and enforcement. Always verify with Hialeah whether any additional municipal rules or registrations apply, as municipalities in Florida may adopt their own STR regulations.