Short-Term Rental Regulatory Guide: Holiday-Hill, Florida

Overview: Holiday-Hill is an unincorporated area within Hillsborough County. Because there is no city-specific short‑term rental (STR) program for Holiday‑Hill, STRs are governed by Florida state law (Ch. 509, F.S.) and county-level health/safety/zoning rules. In short: short‑term rentals are allowed in Holiday‑Hill subject to state licensing and collection/remittance of Florida state taxes; local ordinances for noise, parking, and property maintenance also apply.

Important disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available rules and pointers. It is not legal advice. Requirements change—always verify with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, and the Florida Department of Revenue.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Holiday‑Hill (Step-by-Step)

1. Verify zoning and land use

• Confirm with Hillsborough County Planning & Growth Management whether STRs are a permitted use for your property type and zoning. There are no city‑level zoning rules in Holiday‑Hill; the county’s land development code applies.

2. Obtain required state licensing

• Florida DBPR “Vacation Rental” license is required if you operate transient rentals (renting fewer than 28 days, typically 3+ times per calendar year). Application and license lookup: myfloridalicense.com (DBPR), and via the “FloridaDBPR” mobile app. Note: if you hold a local “Florida-Friendly Dwelling” (FFDL) license, it does not substitute for a DBPR vacation rental license for properties rented to guests.

3. Register local business tax receipt (BTR) with Hillsborough County Tax Collector

• Unincorporated Hillsborough County requires a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for most commercial activities, including STRs. Apply with the Tax Collector’s Office.

4. Set up Florida state tax accounts

• Sales Tax (Florida Department of Revenue, DOR). Collect 6% sales tax on the rent and remit monthly/quarterly.
• Tourist Development Tax (TDT) may apply depending on county provisions; verify with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector and the County TDT/Tourist Development Council. If TDT applies, obtain the relevant account and remit per local schedule.
• If applicable, register for local resort/bed taxes per county rules.

5. Implement health and safety compliance

• Safety: smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors where applicable, safe egress, fire extinguisher, and any required postings/contact info.
• Local standards: follow Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and Florida law regarding property maintenance, parking, and transient occupancy.
• ADA: reasonable accommodation is required, but specific ADA construction requirements do not apply to non‑hotel residential STRs unless an elevator or other applicable feature triggers coverage.

6. Manage taxes and bookkeeping

• Maintain detailed records (reservations, gross rent, taxes collected, remittances).
• If you use a property manager or platform to collect state taxes, confirm reporting procedures and your filing responsibilities.

7. Maintain compliance and good standing

• Display the DBPR license number in all listings and communications.
• Respond promptly to DBPR inquiries and county inspections.
• Monitor tax due dates and renewals for DBPR and local BTR annually.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Florida state requirements

• DBPR “Vacation Rental” license for transient rentals (under 28 days; rented at least three times per year).
• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) sales tax registration and monthly/quarterly filings.
• Tourist Development Tax (TDT) registration and remittance if applicable in Hillsborough County; confirm tax percentages and filing frequency.

Hillsborough County/BTR

• Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
• Documentation confirming the property is your principal place of business (as applicable) and identification documents.

Health and safety guidelines

• Florida fire safety and building codes as applicable to transient lodging.
• Local noise ordinances, parking rules, and property maintenance standards.
• Guest communications: emergency contacts and house rules addressing occupancy, quiet hours, parking, trash, and conduct.

Data, records, and advertising

• Accurate STR listing data (address, STR license, safety information).
• Retention of booking records for tax and compliance audits.

Optional/operational

• Property management agreement (if using a manager; ensure the manager holds any required Florida licenses for lodging operations as applicable).
• Insurance coverage appropriate for transient lodging risk.

Specific Regulations (Florida State and Hillsborough County Context)

State preemption and local authority

• Florida Statutes Chapter 509 governs public lodging establishments, including STRs, and defines transient rentals.
• State law preempts local registration or new licensing systems that duplicate state vacation rental licensing. Local governments may enforce health and safety, zoning, noise, parking, and property maintenance standards. Always verify current local restrictions.

Taxation

• Sales tax: 6% on the rent for transient rentals (Florida DOR).
• Tourist Development Tax (TDT): May apply to STRs in Hillsborough County; confirm applicability, rates, and filing frequency with the Tax Collector and Tourist Development Council.
• Local resort/bed taxes: May apply depending on county or municipal provisions; verify with the County.

Licensing and display

• DBPR vacation rental license must be displayed on listings and renewals kept current.
• If you host from a home with a local Florida-Friendly Dwelling (FFDL) license, FFDL does not replace the state vacation rental license if renting transient guests.

Zoning and land use

• STRs in Holiday‑Hill must comply with Hillsborough County’s land development code, including permitted uses and any site‑specific conditions (e.g., residential vs. commercial zones, mixed-use).

Health, safety, and guest conduct

• Florida law requires appropriate safety measures for transient lodging; local ordinances supplement with noise, parking, occupancy, and property maintenance rules.
• STRs are not hotels; however, compliance with local life‑safety, fire safety, and anti‑nuisance standards is expected.

Inspection and enforcement

• DBPR investigates complaints regarding state‑level licensing and compliance.
• Hillsborough County Code Enforcement addresses local nuisance, zoning, and property maintenance violations.

Contact Information (Florida, Hillsborough County)

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

• Phone: 850.487.1395
• Website: myfloridalicense.com
• Vacation Rental Licensing section and online application/license lookup

Florida Department of Revenue (DOR)

• Sales tax:dor.myflorida.com
• Online registration and return filing (if not using a manager’s platform)

Hillsborough County – Business Tax Receipt (Tax Collector’s Office)

• Phone: 813.635.5200
• Website: hillsboroughcounty.gov (visit “Business Tax Receipt” and “Tax Collector”)

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and Planning & Growth Management

• Code Enforcement intake: 813.627.4357
• Planning & Growth Management zoning guidance: hillsboroughcounty.gov
• County Ordinances/Code: ord.hillsboroughcounty.org

Tourist Development/Taxes in Hillsborough County

• Contact: Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (for bed/TDT questions) and Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council (TDC)
• TDC website: visittampabay.com (for contact pages and guidance)

Links to Source Pages (if available)

• Florida DBPR – Vacation Rental Licenses: myfloridalicense.com (search “Vacation Rental” and “Florida public lodging”)
• Florida Department of Revenue – Sales Tax: dor.myflorida.com
• Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt: hillsboroughcounty.gov > Residents > Business Tax Receipt
• Hillsborough County Ordinances/Code: ord.hillsboroughcounty.org
• Hillsborough County Code Enforcement contact (for complaints/inspections): hillsboroughcounty.org > Code Enforcement
• Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council (TDT/Bed Tax): visittampabay.com (counties/tourism contacts)

Practical checklist summary for Holiday‑Hill investors:

• Confirm zoning with Hillsborough County.
• Get a Florida DBPR vacation rental license.
• Register for Florida sales tax and any applicable Hillsborough County TDT/local resort taxes.
• Obtain a Hillsborough County BTR.
• Ensure life‑safety compliance and implement local property rules (noise/parking/maintenance).
• Display DBPR license number in listings; maintain records and file taxes on time.