Research Guide · May 2026
Orlando STR Zoning Guide — Short-Term Rental Rules by City & County
The most common and most expensive STR mistake in Orlando: buying in a jurisdiction where non-owner-occupied vacation rentals are prohibited. Rules vary dramatically — not just between counties, but between cities within counties. This guide covers every major jurisdiction in the metro as of May 2026.
Polk County (Unincorporated)
License Type
Polk County BTR + FL DBPR
Annual License Cost
$30–50/year + ~$170 DBPR
Combined Tax Rate
12.0%
How to verify for a specific property:
Polk County Property Appraiser (parcels.polkpa.org) — confirm unincorporated jurisdiction
Orange County (Unincorporated)
License Type
Orange County STR Permit
Annual License Cost
$63 per permit / valid 2 years
Combined Tax Rate
12.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Confirm address is unincorporated (not Orlando city). Use Orange County Property Appraiser zoning lookup.
Osceola County (Unincorporated)
License Type
Osceola County STR License + DBPR
Annual License Cost
$250 license + $160 inspection + ~$170 DBPR
Combined Tax Rate
13.5% (highest in metro)
How to verify for a specific property:
Osceola County GIS STR Boundary Map: gis.osceola.org (search parcel ID). This is non-negotiable due diligence.
City of Kissimmee
License Type
Business Tax Receipt + Conditional Use Permit
Annual License Cost
BTR + CUP (varies by zoning)
Combined Tax Rate
13.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Contact Kissimmee Planning Division. Use Osceola County Parcel Viewer to check city vs. county jurisdiction and zoning district.
Lake Buena Vista
License Type
Orange County STR Permit
Annual License Cost
$63 biennial
Combined Tax Rate
12.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Orange County Property Appraiser — verify zoning district at parcel level.
City of Clermont / Lake County
License Type
Clermont Vacation Rental License + DBPR
Annual License Cost
$375/year + building permit inspection
Combined Tax Rate
Lake County TDT (verify with Lake County Tax Collector)
How to verify for a specific property:
City of Clermont Development Services: 352-394-4083
Sanford / Seminole County
License Type
Seminole County BTR + DBPR
Annual License Cost
~$50 BTR + ~$170 DBPR
Combined Tax Rate
12.0%
How to verify for a specific property:
Contact Sanford Planning and Zoning. Verify zoning district for specific parcel.
City of Orlando
License Type
Home-Sharing Permit (owner-occupied only)
Annual License Cost
$275 initial / $125 renewal
Combined Tax Rate
12.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Any residential zone = not viable for investors. Commercial zones only — confirm with Orlando Zoning (407-246-2269).
Celebration (Osceola County CDP)
License Type
HOA-dependent (varies by sub-community)
Annual License Cost
Osceola County rates if HOA permits
Combined Tax Rate
13.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Full CC&Rs + written HOA manager confirmation required. Do not rely on verbal assurances or seller claims.
Winter Garden
License Type
City Vacation Rental License
Annual License Cost
$400 total ($100 BTR + $300 VRL)
Combined Tax Rate
12.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Winter Garden Planning: 407-656-4111 ext. 2021
St. Cloud (Osceola County)
License Type
Hotel/motel zones only
Annual License Cost
N/A
Combined Tax Rate
13.5%
How to verify for a specific property:
Avoid for residential STR investment.
Three Verifications Every Buyer Must Complete
Government Jurisdiction
Determine whether the property is in an incorporated city or unincorporated county — they have entirely different rules. Use the county Property Appraiser website and search the parcel address. The jurisdiction field tells you exactly which government entity has authority.
⚠ Common mistake: Many Davenport-addressed properties are in unincorporated Polk County. Many Kissimmee-addressed properties are in unincorporated Osceola County. Address ≠ jurisdiction.
Parcel-Level Zoning
Being near an STR zone is not the same as being in one. For Osceola County, verify each parcel on the GIS STR Boundary Map. For Orange County, check the parcel's zoning district. For Polk County resort communities, verify PUD zoning classification.
⚠ Common mistake: A community with thousands of legal STRs may have individual parcels outside the overlay or in restricted zoning sub-districts. Verify at the parcel level, not just the community name.
HOA Covenants
Request the complete CC&Rs and Declaration of Covenants. Read the sections on rentals, transient occupancy, and minimum lease periods. Get written confirmation from the HOA manager — not just the seller — that STRs are permitted under current governing documents.
⚠ Common mistake: The Florida preemption law (F.S. 509.032) does not apply to HOAs. An HOA can prohibit STRs, impose minimum stay requirements, or cap the number of STR-permitted units regardless of county zoning. Post-purchase HOA enforcement has ended many STR investment plans.
Related Resources
Airbnb Investment by Jurisdiction
Detailed returns and rules for each area with decision matrix
Read guide →Davenport / Polk County STR Guide
The most permissive market — community breakdowns, returns, licensing steps
Read guide →Kissimmee Hotel Investment
US-192 corridor, STR overlay zones, value-add motel strategies
Read guide →STR Cap Rates by Location
Returns by area, property type, and management model
Read guide →STR Financing (DSCR Loans)
How to finance when banks won't touch vacation rentals
Read guide →Hospitality Investment FAQ
25+ questions answered including STR due diligence
Read guide →Need property-level STR verification?
We verify STR zoning, licensing availability, and HOA compliance for specific properties before you make an offer. Saves you from costly post-purchase surprises.