Orlando's New Short-Term Rental Laws: Everything You Need to Know in One Place
Introduction
Orlando is one of the nation’s most popular destinations for travelers, but it’s also home to over half a million residents. And with more than 60 hotels under construction and room for about another 100 hotel rooms downtown, that number will only continue to grow. That’s why it’s important for everyone—residents and visitors alike—to understand the short-term rental laws that are being put in place by the city and Orange County Board of Commissioners.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make money off your home if you’re willing to follow a few rules along the way: You can rent out rooms or an entire house through Airbnb or VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner). You can also rent out space on AirTasker or TaskRabbit and even earn some extra money by participating in home exchanges like HomeAway's new membership program called Instant Book. All these options require a minimal investment on your end while providing plenty of opportunity for travelers looking for an alternative experience away from traditional hotels! Just take note—there are some things you should know before renting out any type of property on a short-term basis...
The city of Orlando has updated the short-term rental law for Non-Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals in Orlando.
The city of Orlando has updated the short-term rental law for Non-Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals in Orlando. The law went into effect on April 1st, 2019, and makes it illegal for anyone to rent out a property for less than 30 days without a license.
For property owners wanting to rent their properties out, they will be required to register with the county and obtain a short-term rental license from the Orange County Comptroller’s office.
If you are a property owner wanting to rent your properties out, you will need to register with the county and obtain a short-term rental license from the Orange County Comptroller’s office. You will need to pay a $250 registration fee, as well as a $75 license fee every year.
If you are a property owner and want to rent your property out on a short-term basis, you must first get a permit from your city or county.
If you are a property owner and want to rent your property on a short-term basis, you must first obtain a permit from your city or county. The application process varies by jurisdiction. In Orlando, for example, you can request a permit online or in person at the Department of Planning and Development.
You will be required to provide information about both yourself (such as proof of identification) and your rental property (like ownership documents). If everything is in order, permits are typically granted within three business days.
People who live in a home year-round may be able to run a vacation rental next door or nearby without restrictions.
There are some exceptions to the ban on new construction. If you live in a home and want to run a vacation rental next door or nearby, then you can apply for an exception. To do this, you must:
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Apply for a permit from your city or county that shows your property meets local zoning codes.
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Register with the county and get a short-term rental license from the Orange County Comptroller’s office
Vacation Rental License Requirements
To apply for a license, you’ll need to submit an application and pay the $75 fee. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have a current residential address, valid phone number, and email address.
Applicants will also be required to provide proof of insurance. The city suggests taking photos of your property with important landmarks in the background so that it can easily identify your rental from other homes in the area. This will help support your claim if there is ever any question about whether or not you are operating legally or not.
Property Use Restrictions
House rules are important in short-term rentals. In Orlando, the city has defined two types of short-term rental properties: owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied. If your property meets both criteria, you may utilize it for short-term rentals to guests.
The first condition is fairly simple—if you live on the property or sleep in a separate part of the home from your guests (such as an empty room), then your listing will be considered “owner-occupied” and therefore allowed under these new regulations.
A common misconception about this rule is that if someone stays with you while they visit, then that counts as “occupying” space within your unit. This isn't true—the city defines occupancy as being around for at least nine hours per day during their stay; if they aren't there all day every day, then they aren't considered "occupying" the space and thus don't count toward whether or not it's deemed "owner occupied."
New Property Standards
Orlando's new short-term rental laws are strict, with each property being inspected and evaluated before it can be rented to guests. The city is taking steps to ensure that all short-term rentals are up to code. Here's what you need to know about the minimum standards:
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Bedrooms must have a minimum size of 70 square feet, which is comparable with other major cities (New York City requires 70 square feet for a studio apartment).
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Bathrooms must have a minimum size of 50 square feet, which is larger than some other major cities' requirements (New York City requires 35 square feet for one bathroom; Chicago requires 46 square feet for two).
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Kitchens must have a sink at least 4 inches deep and 8 inches wide; cabinets at least 18 inches high; countertops at least 6 inches deep; refrigerator space free from obstructions (such as appliances) and able to hold all food items placed in it without toppling over or shifting position when the door opens/closes; range hoods installed above cooktops or ranges if cooking takes place on those appliances; ventilation systems designed properly so as not block airflow from ceiling fans above wood burning fireplaces/stoves
New Parking Standards
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A parking permit is required for each short-term rental unit.
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The parking permit must be displayed on the rearview mirror of the vehicle during times when a vehicle is used for short-term rentals.
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Parking permits are valid for one year and are free.
Guest Rules and Noise Violation Penalties
If your guests are making excessive noise, disturbing the neighbors, or exceeding the maximum occupancy limit, you could be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and fined up to $500. Don’t forget: The city also has the option of requiring you to attend educational or community service programs if it deems your offense severe enough.
Operator Responsibilities and Penalties
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Operator Responsibilities
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Operators must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and be present on the premises during the rental period.
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Operators are required to conduct criminal background checks on all tenants who rent their properties.
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Operators must maintain an insurance policy that covers property damage from fire, theft, or burglary up to $1 million in value. The policy must also include liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence for bodily injury or death caused by the operation of home-sharing platforms and/or associated features (e.g., photo galleries).
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The city may revoke a home-sharing operator’s registration if operators fail to comply with these requirements or they fail to pay any fines assessed by the city in connection with violations of these requirements within 10 days after receiving written notice from DOHRS that a fine has been assessed against them
Short-term rental laws vary greatly depending on where you live, so take some time to research before getting started as an Airbnb host.
Take some time to research the laws in your area. The Airbnb website has a helpful tool to help you learn about short-term rental laws, but you can also check out the city's website, county website, state website, and federal websites as well.
Make sure you study up to date on the new short-term rental laws!
Before you get started as an Airbnb host, be sure to research the short-term rental laws in your city. The rules and regulations of short-term rentals vary greatly depending on where you live—and they change often!
Take some time to do some research on the new short-term rental laws in Orlando and make sure that you know what's allowed before listing any properties on Airbnb or other sites.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ins and outs of Orlando's new short-term rental laws, what are you waiting for? Contact your Token Realty agent to see how you can get started on your own Airbnb business today!
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