*SOME APARTMENTS ARE IN COMMERCIAL ZONES*

Details The City of Orlando enforces a strict "Home Sharing" ordinance for all residential zones. This law requires the host to be a permanent resident who lives on-site and is present during the guest's stay. This effectively makes standard "entire place" arbitrage illegal in most of the city. True vacation rentals (entire units without the host present) are generally only permitted in Commercial or Mixed-Use zoning districts.

Key Requirements (City of Orlando)

• Home Sharing Registration: You must register with the city ($275/year fee).
• Host Presence: The host must be present at the property during the booking. You cannot rent the entire home while you are away.
• Booking Limit: Only one booking is allowed at a time.
• Commercial Exception: If you find a property in a Commercial Zone (e.g., zoning codes AC-3, MXD), you may be able to operate a "Commercial Dwelling Unit," but these are rare for typical single-family homes.

Unincorporated Orange County (The Alternative)

• Note: If your property is outside city limits (check the Property Appraiser website), the rules are different.
• Permit: You can get a Short-Term Rental Permit ($63) for non-owner occupied properties in Unincorporated Orange County.
• Restrictions: You must adhere to strict occupancy limits (2 people per bedroom + 2 additional) and parking rules.

Operational and Safety Standards

• Taxes: Total tax is ~12.5% (6% State Sales Tax + 0.5% County Surtax + 6% Tourist Development Tax).
• Tax Collection: Airbnb and Vrbo typically collect and remit the 6% State Tax and the 6% Orange County Tourist Development Tax for listings inside Orlando, but you must verify this in your portal as configurations change.
• Occupancy: Maximum occupancy is usually capped at 2 per bedroom + 2 additional people.

Enforcement

• Fines: Operating an unpermitted rental or renting an entire home in a residential zone can result in fines starting at $250–$500 per day.
• Delisting: The city works with platforms to remove listings that do not display a valid permit number.