Purpose and scope: This guide synthesizes publicly available information to help investors and hosts understand the regulatory environment for short‑term rentals (STRs) in Winter Haven, Florida. It prioritizes city‑level rules (where identifiable), Polk County context, and Florida statewide requirements. Where the available sources do not provide definitive answers, we flag them for direct verification with the City or County.

Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Winter Haven, FL?

• Explicit answer: Yes. Short‑term rentals (often called “Airbnbs”) are legal and regulated by the City of Winter Haven.
• What is required at the city level:
  • Obtain a City of Winter Haven business tax receipt (BTR) for the rental activity.
  • Comply with safety and health standards, including operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• What is required at the state level:
  • Florida requires licensing for vacation rentals via the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This licensing requirement does not apply to hosted rentals (where the host remains on‑site during guests’ stay).
  • Florida requires registration with the Florida Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate if you provide accommodations for six months or less, and you collect/remit state sales tax and applicable local taxes.
• The local government authority overseeing STRs is the City of Winter Haven.

Sources:

• www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/winter-haven-fl (Intro: “Short‑term rentals … are legal and regulated by the City of Winter Haven. Hosts are required to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with specific safety and health standards …”)
• www.lodgecompliance.com/states/florida (Statewide DBPR licensing; DOR registration for ≤ six‑month stays; definition of STR; taxes)

How to start a short‑term rental business in Winter Haven

1. Confirm zoning eligibility with the City

• Verify that your property’s zoning allows transient lodging uses under the City’s Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).
• If you are unsure, contact the Planning Division before investing to confirm permitted use status.

2. Secure state authorization if required

• If you plan to rent a whole unit (host not on‑site) for fewer than 30 days and do more than three rentals per year (or advertise as a short‑term rental), obtain a DBPR vacation rental license.
• If you are a hosted rental (you remain on‑site), state DBPR licensing is not required. Local BTR may still be required.

3. Register for state and local taxes

• Apply for a Florida sales tax certificate (Florida Department of Revenue) to collect/remit state sales tax (6%) and any applicable local taxes.
• Verify the need for and rates of any local transient rental taxes with Polk County Tax Collector (including Tourist Development Taxes), as county rates vary.

4. Obtain city authorization

• Secure a Winter Haven business tax receipt for the rental activity.

5. Implement required safety and health measures

• Install and maintain operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

6. Operational readiness

• Establish guest screening, house rules, noise/party policies, and a local contact for guest issues.
• Set up guest registration, data retention, and recordkeeping procedures (if adopted locally).

7. Ongoing compliance

• Maintain licenses/permits, renewals, inspections (if applicable), and submit taxes on schedule.
• Monitor any local updates (e.g., occupancy, noise, parking, waste rules) that Winter Haven may implement.

Sources:

• www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/winter-haven-fl (Intro)
• www.lodgecompliance.com/states/florida (DBPR licensing; DOR registration; general STR definition and tax framework)

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

At the city level:

• Business Tax Receipt (Winter Haven) – required for operating an STR in the city.
• Evidence of safety compliance:
  • Operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (required city standard).

At the county level:

• Confirm county transient rental taxes and any registration requirements through the Polk County Tax Collector.
• If applicable, ensure compliance with any county‑administered waste, noise, or parking standards.

At the state level:

• DBPR Vacation Rental License (for whole‑home, unhosted rentals under 30 days; generally not required for hosted rentals where the host remains on‑site).
• Florida Department of Revenue Sales Tax Certificate to collect/remit state sales tax and applicable local taxes.
• Property insurance appropriate for transient lodging operations (strongly recommended).
• Potential balcony inspection certificate (if applicable per DBPR requirements and property type).

Safety and health:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (City of Winter Haven requirement).

Sources:

• www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/winter-haven-fl (BTR and detectors requirement)
• www.lodgecompliance.com/states/florida (DBPR and DOR framework; optional insurance mention)

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals: city, county, and state

City of Winter Haven (Winter Haven, FL)

• Authorization: Business tax receipt required for STRs.
• Safety/Health: Operational smoke and CO detectors required.
• Enforcement: The City of Winter Haven is the local authority.

County (Polk County, FL)

• County taxes: Short‑term rentals are generally subject to local transient rental taxes (e.g., Tourist Development Taxes). Rates vary by county; confirm current rates and rules with the Polk County Tax Collector.

State (Florida)

• Licensing: DBPR license is required for vacation rentals rented fewer than 30 days; does not apply to hosted rentals (host on‑site).
• Tax obligations:
  • State sales tax (6%).
  • Discretionary sales surtax where applicable.
  • Local transient rental taxes (varies by county).
• Registration: Register with the Florida Department of Revenue if you provide accommodations for six months or less.
• Operational considerations:
  • No specific state-imposed minimum length of stay for STRs; however, Florida’s definition of STR includes rentals with a term of less than 90 days.
  • Newer state law allows local governments to suspend registrations for noise, parking, or trash violations and to set occupancy limits, while still allowing local registration and licensing.
  • Potential impacts on homestead tax exemption when renting a homestead residence; consult a tax professional.
• Building/community restrictions can limit STRs (especially in some condominiums/cooperatives or governed communities).

Note: The available content does not provide city-specific occupancy limits, length-of-stay caps, advertising requirements, parking standards, noise thresholds, neighborhood notification, caps on number of STRs, event/party rules, or inspection schedules for Winter Haven. Confirm directly with the City of Winter Haven or reference the city’s ULDC.

Sources:

• www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/winter-haven-fl (City overview: BTR and safety requirements)
• www.lodgecompliance.com/states/florida (State requirements: licensing, definition, taxes, and local regulatory latitude)
• mywinterhaven.com/185/City-of-Winter-Havens-Unified-Land-Devel (ULDC reference for zoning and land development rules)

Contact information: local authority in charge of STRs

City of Winter Haven – Main

• Phone: 863‑291‑5600
• Physical Address: 451 Third Street NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

City of Winter Haven – Planning Division (zoning and land development questions)

• Phone: 863‑291‑5891
• Physical Address: 451 Third Street NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Winter Haven Planning Staff (as available in source):

• Sean Byers, AICP, Planning Manager – sbyers@mywinterhaven.com – Phone: 863‑291‑5600 Ext. 6106
• Heather Reuter, CPM, Senior Planner – hreuter@mywinterhaven.com – Phone: 863‑291‑5600 Ext. 6104
• Chris Young, Senior Planner – cyoung@mywinterhaven.com – Phone: 863‑291‑5600 Ext. 6103
• Jordan Warren, Planning Assistant – jwarren@mywinterhaven.com – Phone: 863‑291‑5600 Ext. 6107

State resources (for licensing and tax registration):

• Florida DBPR (vacation rental licensing): Consult Florida DBPR website
• Florida DOR (sales tax certificate and registration): Consult Florida Department of Revenue website

Source:

• mywinterhaven.com/185/City-of-Winter-Havens-Unified-Land-Devel (Contact details)

Links to source pages

• City of Winter Haven – Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) reference: mywinterhaven.com/185/City-of-Winter-Havens-Unified-Land-Devel
• Lodge Compliance – Winter Haven, FL – STR overview: www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/winter-haven-fl
• Lodge Compliance – Florida STR laws: www.lodgecompliance.com/states/florida

Disclaimer and practical notes:

• This guide is based solely on the provided web content and highlights areas requiring direct confirmation (e.g., occupancy limits, inspection schedules, BTR application process, parking/noise/waste requirements, advertising rules, guest record retention, local taxes, and any zoning specifics within Chapter 21 ULDC). Investors should verify current local rules and application procedures with the City of Winter Haven and the Polk County Tax Collector before listing a property.
• Nothing herein constitutes tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult appropriate professionals for personalized guidance.