The provided web sources do not contain any city‑specific references to “Sun City, FL,” nor do they specify which county’s rules would apply (e.g., Sun City Center in Hillsborough County, or any other “Sun City” place‑name in Florida). This guide therefore presents Florida statewide regulations and typical county/municipal frameworks, and it clearly flags the city‑level items that must be verified locally. If your property is in a specific “Sun City” jurisdiction, obtain the relevant local ordinance and enforcement contact before listing.

Allowed: Are short‑term rentals permitted in Sun City, FL?

• Statewide baseline: Yes, short‑term rentals (STRs) are permitted statewide in Florida under Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversight. A short‑term rental (also called a vacation rental) is defined as renting a property:
  • More than three times in a calendar year, and
  • For fewer than 30 days or one calendar month per stay.
  • This covers single‑family dwellings and units in condos/cooperatives up to four units; timeshares are excluded.
• City‑level control: Florida municipalities and counties may impose additional rules (zoning, licensing, safety, occupancy, and tax registration). Some cities restrict STRs in certain zones, require owner‑presence, or cap the number of STR licenses.
• Sun City caveat: The provided sources do not list Sun City‑specific allowances or prohibitions. Treat any assumption about Sun City as unverified and confirm with your local planning/zoning department.

How to start a STR business in this market

• Decide on the property classification and scale:
  • DBPR license type: Vacation Rental Dwelling (single‑family or up to four units) or Vacation Rental Condo/Coop.
  • License structure: Single (one property), Group (multiple units in one building), or Collective (up to 75 units in one district).
• Form a business entity and tax setup:
  • Consider forming an LLC to separate liabilities and finances.
  • Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax and banking.
• DBPR licensing:
  • Apply for the appropriate DBPR license (Dwelling or Condo) with the correct classification (Single/Group/Collective).
• County and municipal registration:
  • Many counties/cities require a Business Tax Receipt (BTR), a Certificate of Use (or equivalent local registration), and/or a local responsible‑party designation.
• Tax registration:
  • Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect and remit state sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax. You will also need to set up and collect county tourist development/bed taxes where applicable.
• Platform listing:
  • After licenses and registrations are issued, list on Airbnb/Vrbo and include your license/registration numbers as required.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• State (DBPR) documentation:
  • Owner/operator contact details and rental address.
  • Property details and classification (Dwelling vs Condo).
  • Proof of ownership or legal right to operate.
  • Human trafficking awareness training certificate (for applicable staff; confirm local application).
  • Certificate of Balcony Inspection (buildings three stories or taller; required every three years).
• Typical county/municipal items (check local rules for applicability):
  • Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
  • Certificate of Use (CU) or local vacation rental registration.
  • Zoning verification and any special use permit/overlay approval.
  • Occupancy and safety compliance plans (pool safety, noise, waste, parking).
  • Responsible party contact and 24/7 response requirements (common local rule).
• Taxes and reporting setup:
  • Florida sales tax (6%) + discretionary sales surtax (0.5%–1.5% county rate).
  • County Tourist Development Tax/bed tax (typically 2%–6%, county‑specific).
  • Federal income reporting; track business expenses for deductions.
• Insurance and safety:
  • Short‑term rental insurance (homeowner policies generally exclude STR activity).
  • Safety equipment: working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, pool safety measures where applicable.

Specific regulations at city, county, and state levels

• State (Florida):
  • Definition and DBPR licensing for vacation rentals.
  • Balcony inspection mandate for three‑story+ buildings (every three years).
  • Human trafficking awareness training for staff (confirm local application).
• County:
  • Local option transient rental (bed) taxes (rate varies by county).
  • Certificate of Use or equivalent registrations, inspections, and local compliance programs.
  • Rules may differ in unincorporated areas vs incorporated municipalities within the same county.
• City:
  • Zoning overlays, STR‑designated zones, and minimum stay requirements.
  • Owner‑occupancy requirements, cap on STRs per district, and advertising rules.
  • Noise, waste, parking, and anti‑nuisance standards.
• Sun City‑specific: Not provided in the sources. You must obtain the relevant city code and enforcement procedures to confirm:
  • Whether STRs are permitted in your zone.
  • Any local licensing, inspections, occupancy caps, or responsible‑party rules.

Contact information for the local authority in charge of STRs

• State contacts:
  • DBPR: Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (vacation rental licensing).
  • DOR: Florida Department of Revenue (sales tax, surtax, and lodging tax setup).
• County contacts:
  • Not provided in the sources. Look for your county’s Tax Collector or Tourist Development Office for bed tax; Planning/Zoning or Business Tax Receipt office for local rules.
• City contacts:
  • Not provided in the sources. Contact the City Planning/Zoning and Business Licensing divisions.
• Enforcement notice:
  • Without verified local contact details in these sources, consult the official county/city websites or call the general municipality line and ask for the vacation rental/STR desk.

Links to source pages used (as provided)

• The Ultimate 2025 Guide to Florida Short‑Term Rental Laws — Beachside VR
  • URL: beachsidevr.com/blog/2025-guide-to-florida-short-term-rental-laws/
• Navigating Short Term Rental Ownership in Florida — Rove Travel
  • URL: www.rovetravel.com/blog/short-term-rental-ownership-in-florida/
• Understanding Florida’s Short‑Term Rental Laws and Regulations — Sun & Sand Rentals
  • URL: www.sunandsandrentals.com/blog/understanding-floridas-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations

Important next steps for Sun City investors

• Confirm which “Sun City” jurisdiction applies to your property (e.g., a CDP within a county) and obtain that city’s vacation rental ordinance.
• Secure DBPR licensing, DOR tax accounts, and any local BTR/CU/registration required.
• Verify zoning compliance, occupancy limits, and responsible‑party requirements.
• Place license/registration numbers on listings and maintain a compliance file with all permits, tax receipts, and inspection certificates.

If you can provide the relevant Sun City, FL code/ordinance link(s), I will convert this into a city‑specific, line‑by‑line compliance playbook with exact contact details, deadlines, and local requirements.