Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Rockledge?

Short-term rentals (defined by Florida law as rentals for fewer than 30 days and rented more than three times per year) are permitted in Rockledge, Florida, but only in specific zoning districts and subject to city, county, and state regulations. Rockledge’s Planning and Zoning Division manages land use and zoning compliance; Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) administers state licensing for vacation rentals; and Brevard County governs zoning in unincorporated areas and collects the local Tourist Development Tax (bed tax). In short: STRs are allowed where zoning permits, but city approval and state licensing are required, and county rules apply to unincorporated locations.

References: Rockledge Planning & Zoning; Beachside Vacation Rentals 2025 Florida STR Laws; Happy Palm Stays Compliance Overview; Brevard County STR petition context.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Rockledge

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Use Rockledge’s interactive zoning map to determine if your parcel allows STRs.
• If the property is in unincorporated Brevard County, confirm “Resort Dwelling” or comparable zoning that permits STRs; county rules and a 90‑day minimum stay can apply in many resort dwelling zones (outside HOAs).
• Check HOA/condo bylaws for additional restrictions.

2. Obtain Florida DBPR state license

• Apply through DBPR:
  • Vacation Rental Dwelling (single-family, duplex, triplex, quadplex)
  • Vacation Rental Condo (condo/cooperative units)
• License types: Single, Group (same building), or Collective (up to 75 units in a district).
• Required documentation typically includes owner/operator info, property address and classification, proof of ownership, human trafficking training certificate, and—if the building is three stories or taller—a current Certificate of Balcony Inspection.
• Renew annually per DBPR schedule for your district.

3. Secure city and county authorizations

• City of Rockledge:
  • Business Tax Receipt (BTR) may be required for operating a rental business.
  • If renting a condo or a unit in a multifamily building, the local responsible party and registration rules commonly applied in nearby Space Coast cities (e.g., Cocoa Beach) may be relevant. Confirm Rockledge’s current certificate and contact requirements with Planning & Zoning.
• Fire/life-safety and inspections:
  • If an inspection is required (e.g., for certain property types in adjacent cities), coordinate with the local fire department and City of Rockledge Building Division as applicable.
• Zoning plan review:
  • Rockledge’s Planning Division reviews building permits for zoning/subdivision ordinance compliance; some projects may require Development Review Committee (DRC) review.

4. Taxes and remittance

• Florida Sales Tax: 6% state sales tax on short-term rentals.
• Discretionary Sales Surtax: 0.5%–1.5% depending on the county.
• Brevard County Tourist Development Tax (bed tax): applies to short-term rentals in Brevard County; rate and remittance instructions are available from the Brevard County Tourist Development Office. Many Space Coast operators collect and remit 5% county bed tax; confirm the current rate and filing cadence for your location.
• Display your DBPR license and any local registration numbers on your listings.

5. Insurance and safety

• Obtain STR-specific insurance; standard homeowner policies typically exclude business use.
• Provide mandated safety equipment (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, pool safety measures if applicable), maintain cleanliness, and keep emergency information posted.

6. Listing and advertising compliance

• Include license/registration numbers as required by Florida law and platform policies.
• Comply with local noise, trash, and occupancy standards.
• Maintain records for audits: licenses, inspections, tax remittances, training certificates.

References: Beachside Vacation Rentals 2025 Florida STR Laws; Happy Palm Stays Compliance Overview; Rockledge Planning & Zoning.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License
  • Owner/operator identity and property details
  • Proof of ownership
  • Human trafficking awareness training certificate
  • Certificate of Balcony Inspection (buildings three stories or taller, renewed every three years)
• City of Rockledge requirements
  • Business Tax Receipt (confirm with City for rental operations)
  • Vacation Rental Certificate/Responsible Party (if required for your unit type; verify current Rockledge rules)
  • Zoning determination confirming STR use is permitted
  • Any required fire/life-safety inspections
• County (if unincorporated)
  • Zoning verification that STRs are permitted
  • Tourist Development Tax registration and monthly remittance
• Safety and standards
  • Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, pool safety equipment (if applicable)
  • Egress maps and emergency information (common best practice)
• Ongoing compliance
  • Annual DBPR license renewals
  • Local BTR renewals
  • Monthly/quarterly tax filings and payments
  • Maintain inspection schedules and certificates

References: Beachside Vacation Rentals 2025 Florida STR Laws; Happy Palm Stays Compliance Overview; Rockledge Planning & Zoning.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals: Rockledge (City), Brevard County (County), Florida (State)

• City of Rockledge

  • Zoning and land use govern STR viability; permitted use depends on district classification and dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage).
  • Planning Division reviews building permits for zoning compliance; some projects require DRC review.
  • Confirm Business Tax Receipt requirements and any local responsible party/registration certificate requirements for condo/multifamily rentals.

• Brevard County

  • STRs are allowed in specific zoning districts; unincorporated areas may be subject to “Resort Dwelling” zoning with a 90‑day minimum stay outside HOAs.
  • The Tourist Development Tax (bed tax) applies to STRs in Brevard County; rates and filing procedures are set by the County TDC.

• State of Florida

  • A short-term rental is any property rented more than three times per calendar year for fewer than 30 days or one month; this triggers DBPR licensing and state tax obligations.
  • DBPR requires a vacation rental license for condo units and dwelling units; license types include Single, Group, and Collective.
  • Balcony inspections are required every three years for buildings three stories or taller.
  • Human trafficking awareness training is required for applicable staff and often embedded in the licensing process.
  • Platforms and listings must display required license/registration numbers.

References: Beachside Vacation Rentals 2025 Florida STR Laws; Happy Palm Stays Compliance Overview; Rockledge Planning & Zoning; Brevard County STR petition context.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

• City of Rockledge – Planning & Zoning
  • Phone: 321‑221‑7540
  • Email: rockledgeplanning@cityofrockledge.org
  • Physical Address: 1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge, FL 32955
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• City of Rockledge – Community Development Director
  • John Cooper
  • Email: jcooper@cityofrockledge.org
  • Phone: 321‑221‑7540
• City of Rockledge – Building Division
  • Phone: 321‑221‑7540
• Florida DBPR – Vacation Rental Licensing
  • Website: www.myfloridalicense.com/ (search “Vacation Rental”)
• Brevard County – Tourist Development Office (Tax/Bed Tax)
  • Website: www.brevardfl.gov/TouristDevelopmentOffice/TourismFAQ
• Brevard County – Planning and Development (Unincorporated Zoning)
  • Website: www.brevardcounty.us/PlanningDev

References: Rockledge Planning & Zoning Directory; Beachside Vacation Rentals 2025 Florida STR Laws; Brevard County TDC.

Links to Source Pages

• City of Rockledge – Planning & Zoning: www.cityofrockledge.org/194/Planning-Zoning
• City of Rockledge – Zoning Map: cityofrockledge.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ba6f6f0723c4454284d09fcd8605781f
• The Ultimate 2025 Guide to Florida Short-Term Rental Laws (Beachside VR): beachsidevr.com/blog/2025-guide-to-florida-short-term-rental-laws/
• Navigating the Rules: Key Steps To Be Compliant (Happy Palm Stays): www.happypalmstays.com/regulatory-compliance/
• Brevard County Tourist Development Tax FAQ: www.brevardfl.gov/TouristDevelopmentOffice/TourismFAQ
• Brevard County STR Advocacy Site (90‑day context and map link): brevardflstr.com/
• Brevard County – Current Resort Dwelling County Map (PDF reference via petition site): brevardflstr.com/assets/CURRENT%20RESORT%20DWELLINGS%20COUNTY%20MAP.pdf

Notes for investors

• Zoning is decisive: confirm STR eligibility before purchase using the Rockledge zoning map or with Planning & Zoning.
• Licensing and taxes are non-negotiable: secure your DBPR license, register locally if required, and enroll with the County for bed tax.
• Expect continued local control: legislative efforts to centralize STR oversight have been vetoed, so local rules in Rockledge and Brevard County will continue to shape operations.