Hollywood, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Hollywood, FL?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Hollywood, Florida under strict regulatory framework. The city defines vacation rentals as dwelling units designed to be occupied as the residence or living quarters of not more than one family, that qualify as Transient Public Lodging Establishments (rented for periods less than 30 days or one calendar month, more than three times per year).

Critical Requirement: A separate Vacation Rental license is required for each individual property before advertising or operating as a short-term rental.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hollywood, FL

Step-by-Step Process

Initial Assessment
- Confirm property classification and compliance eligibility
- Verify if property falls within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other child congregation areas
- Review all zoning and land use restrictions
Document Preparation
- Gather all required state and county licenses
- Complete owner certification form (must be notarized)
- Prepare interior and exterior property sketches
- Obtain necessary insurance coverage
Online Application Submission
- Submit application through Hollywood's official portal: Vacation Rental License Application
- Upload all required documentation
- Pay applicable fees
Inspection Process
- Schedule compliance inspection
- Address any violations found during inspection
- Obtain final approval and license issuance
Operational Setup
- Install required noise monitoring devices
- Post mandatory information in property
- Register with state and local tax authorities
- Establish waste management services

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Current and active license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment
Must be displayed in all advertising materials

Florida Department of Revenue (DOR)

Certificate of registration for collecting and remitting sales surtaxes, transient rental taxes, and other applicable state taxes
Certificate must include property address and be in property owner's name
Exception: Not required if property is exclusively advertised on Airbnb

Broward County Tax Collector

Tourist Development Tax (TDT) account for collecting/remitting applicable county taxes
Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

City-Level Requirements

City of Hollywood

Local Business Tax Receipt
Vacation Rental License (primary requirement)
Certificate of Use application (if required for property type)

Technical Documentation

Property Sketches

Interior building sketch by floor (hand-drawn acceptable, must be to scale)
Show floor layout, bedrooms, bathrooms, exits, hallways, stairways
Identify smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, exit signage/lighting
Exterior site sketch showing structures, pools, spas, fencing, parking spaces

Insurance and Safety

Certificate of insurance evidencing liability coverage for injury/harm to occupants and invitees
Acknowledgment that standard homeowner's/renter's insurance may not provide adequate coverage
Critical: Liability coverage must be maintained at all times during rental operations

Owner Documentation

Notarized Owner Certification Form
If not property owner: Notarized letter designating Vacation Rental Representative/Property Manager

Compliance Checklist

✓ Smoke detectors in each guest room (NFPA compliant)
✓ Maximum occupancy calculations and verification
✓ Parking compliance documentation
✓ Solid waste management service contract
✓ Proximity verification to schools/recreational facilities (if applicable)
✓ Noise monitoring device installation and data retention capability

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Maximum Occupancy Standards

Overnight Occupancy:

Minimum gross floor area: 150 sq ft for first occupant, 100 sq ft per additional occupant
Each bedroom: minimum 70 sq ft for one occupant, 50 sq ft per additional occupant
Maximum 2 occupants per bedroom
Minimum bedroom width: 8 feet
Minimum ceiling height: 7 ft for at least half the room area

Daytime Occupancy:

Maximum non-overnight occupancy: 1.5 times overnight maximum
Exemption: Up to 4 children under 4 years of age

Noise and Community Standards

Mandatory Noise Monitoring:

Noise level detection device required in every vacation rental
Device must alert property owner/representative and tenants to excessive noise
All data must be retained for 180 days and made available to City upon request

Quiet Hours:

11:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Hollywood Noise Ordinance)
Posted notices required in backyard/pool areas stating noise restrictions

24/7 Availability:

Vacation Rental Representative must be available 24/7 by landline or mobile phone
Must respond and physically appear at property within 60 minutes when requested

Parking and Solid Waste Management

Parking Requirements:

Occupants/visitors must comply with Chapter 72 of Hollywood Code
No parking on swale areas or unpaved right-of-way adjacent to other single-family dwellings
On-site parking only where permitted or adjacent off-site parking allowed
Parking locations and requirements must be posted inside vacation rental

Solid Waste Management:

Trash storage containers required and must be screened with 6-foot fence/landscaping
Contract with waste management provider for side-door pickup service
Additional trash container required for properties with maximum occupancy > 8
Collection locations and schedules must be posted inside property

Life Safety Requirements

Fire Safety:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detection systems (interconnected, hardwired)
Portable, multipurpose 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher on each floor/level
Compliance with Florida Administrative Code Rule 69A-43.018
Building evacuation map (minimum 8.5" x 11") provided to each renter

Pool Safety:

Compliance with Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Chapter 515, Florida Statutes)

Advertising and Commercial Use Restrictions

Advertising Requirements:

Must include maximum occupancy information
Display both DBPR license number and City vacation rental license number
Advertisements constitute sufficient evidence of vacation rental operation
Update city with all listing services where property is advertised
Remove all advertisements upon ceasing rental operations

Prohibited Commercial Activities:

Manufacturing, storing, distributing, or repairing merchandise
Using premises for client/customer appointments
Using address for advertising other uses
Providing services to employees on premises
Posting non-vacation rental signs
Charging admission fees

Special Restrictions Near Schools/Facilities: Properties within 1,000 feet of schools, bus stops, day care centers, parks, playgrounds, or recreational facilities:

Cannot be rented to individuals convicted of specified sexual offenses involving victims under 16
Must include special disclosure statement in rental agreements

License Administration

Duration and Renewal:

License expires September 30 annually
Renewal applications accepted starting July 1
Late fee of $100 for applications received after September 30
Annual inspection required for renewal
Grace period available only during initial application process (ended April 1, 2021)

Transferability:

Licenses are non-transferable and non-assignable
License becomes null and void upon property sale/transfer

Contact Information

City of Hollywood Vacation Rental Licensing

Primary Contact:

Phone: 954.921.3225
Email: vrl@hollywoodfl.org
Website: Vacation Rental License
Online Application Portal: Vacation Rental License Application

Owner Certification Form:

Owner Certification Form

Reporting and Compliance

Issue Reporting:

Phone: 954.231.2375 (24/7 hotline)
Online Reporting: Report Vacation Rental Issues
Note: Anonymous complaints not accepted; name and address required

Code Violations:

Search Portal: Code Violations Search

General City Information

City of Hollywood

Address: 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33020-4807
General Info: 954.967.4357
Police/Fire Non-Emergency: 954.764.HELP (4357)
Water/Sewer Emergency: 954.921.3046
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Additional Resources

Broward County Tax Collector

Tourist Development Tax registration and business tax receipts

Florida Department of Revenue

Sales tax and transient rental tax registration

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Transient Public Lodging Establishment licensing

Links to Source Pages

Primary Sources

Support Resources

Informational Resources

Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information as of the provided content. Regulations may change. Always verify current requirements with official city sources before making investment decisions.

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