Thinking about renting out your Hollywood Beach condo but not sure where to start? You are not alone. Between city licensing, state taxes, and building rules, it can feel complicated fast. The good news is that once you know the basics, you can set up your rental the right way and protect your income. In this guide, you will learn the key licenses, taxes, condo association rules, insurance needs, and a simple step-by-step process tailored to Hollywood Beach. Let’s dive in.
What counts as a rental in Hollywood Beach
If you advertise or rent your condo for less than 30 days or less than one calendar month more than three times per year, the City of Hollywood treats it as a vacation rental. This triggers the city’s Vacation Rental License program, which includes an application, required documentation, inspections, and operating rules. The city explains the definitions, guest log rules, inspections, and penalties in the official Vacation Rental License Regulations.
Two important reminders:
- City licensing is separate from your condo association’s approval. You must comply with both sets of rules.
- Rental terms of six months or less are treated as transient for many tax purposes in Florida, which affects your tax registrations and filings.
Licenses and taxes you will need
City of Hollywood license
The city requires a Vacation Rental License for units that meet its vacation rental definition. You will need to submit proof of your state and county registrations, pass required inspections, and follow the city’s operating rules, including guest log and recordkeeping. Start with the city’s Vacation Rental License Regulations, then complete your application through the city’s Vacation Rental portal.
What the city typically asks for:
- State DBPR vacation rental license number
- Florida Department of Revenue sales and transient rental tax registration
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax account
- Local business tax receipts (county and city)
- Owner certifications and on-site contact information
Broward County Tourist Development Tax
Broward County charges a 6 percent Tourist Development Tax on rentals of six months or less. You, your manager, or your platform must register and remit the tax to the county on a set filing schedule. Review registration steps, filing, and penalties on the county’s Tourist Development Tax page.
Florida state sales and transient rental tax
Florida treats rentals of living or sleeping accommodations for six months or less as taxable transient rentals. The state sales tax component is commonly 6 percent, plus any applicable local surtaxes. You must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and file returns (DR-15). Learn how registration and filing work in the state’s sales and transient rental tax guidance.
State DBPR vacation rental license
Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants, licenses vacation rentals classified as transient public lodging establishments. If you advertise your whole condo to the public for short stays or rent it repeatedly for under 30 days, you likely need a DBPR license. Review the DBPR vacation rental guide and application steps here: DBPR Vacation Rental licensing overview.
Who collects and remits the taxes
Some platforms collect and remit certain state or county taxes automatically, but that does not remove your responsibility to register where required or to confirm what is actually being paid. Use the county’s Tourist Development Tax guidance and the Florida DOR’s resources to verify what you still need to file.
Your condo association’s rules
Your building’s governing documents control whether and how you can lease. Rules vary widely by building, so read your documents closely and confirm with management before you list.
Where to find your building’s rental rules
- Start by confirming the condo’s legal name and folio number using the Broward County Property Appraiser. Use that information when you search public records.
- Pull the recorded Declaration of Condominium and any amendments in the Broward County Official Records. These recorded documents establish enforceable restrictions.
- Ask the association for the current Declaration, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, rental policy or leasing addendum, tenant application, and the master insurance declarations.
- Request recent meeting minutes and any board resolutions about leasing or rental caps.
- Order an estoppel certificate for a concise summary of fees owed, approvals, and often rental limits or waiting lists.
Typical rules to confirm
- Minimum lease term, such as 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, or 12 months
- Whether short-term or vacation rentals are allowed at all
- Any owner-occupancy or “own for X months before leasing” rule
- Rental caps or waiting lists and how they operate
- Tenant application, screening, and approval timeline
- Association fees or deposits tied to lease approvals
- Guest registration, parking, and fine policies
- Insurance requirements for owners and tenants
A key Florida protection for current owners
Florida’s Condominium Act limits the retroactive application of new rental restrictions. In many cases, an amendment that bans leasing or changes minimum lease terms applies only to owners who consented to the amendment and to buyers who acquire title after the amendment’s effective date. If you suspect a board is applying new restrictions to you retroactively, review Section 718.110 and consult counsel.
Insurance, deposits, and management
Master policy vs your HO-6
Your association’s master policy and your HO-6 policy work together. The master policy may be bare-walls, walls-in, or all-in. Review the association’s declarations page to see where the master policy ends and your responsibility begins. Because large master deductibles and special assessments are more common in coastal condos, make sure your HO-6 includes adequate loss assessment coverage. Fannie Mae’s guidance on condo master policies and owner coverage is a helpful reference: Fannie Mae insurance coordination overview.
Key steps:
- Get the association’s master policy declarations, including deductibles
- Confirm your HO-6 limits for interior finishes and personal property
- Add or increase loss assessment coverage based on master deductibles
Security deposits under Florida law
If you collect a security deposit, Florida law sets strict rules for holding and returning funds, including written notices and timelines. If you hire a manager, confirm their process follows state law. Read the statute here: Florida Statute 83.49 on deposits.
Hiring a property manager
Many leasing and rent-collection activities require a Florida real estate license or that the manager works under a licensed broker. If your building hires or uses a CAM-licensed manager for association operations, that is separate from your rental needs. When interviewing property managers for your unit, ask for proof of licensing, E&O insurance, general liability, and a written agreement that spells out screening, rent collection, deposits, reporting, and compliance with your building’s lease-approval process.
Step-by-step checklist for Hollywood Beach condo owners
Use this quick plan before you advertise or accept tenants:
- Confirm your building rules
- Pull the recorded Declaration and amendments using the Broward Official Records search.
- Ask management for the rental policy, tenant application, rules, minutes, and master insurance declarations.
- Order an estoppel certificate to confirm restrictions, fees, and any rental caps.
- Line up your licenses and registrations
- If your plan involves stays under 30 days or a calendar month more than three times per year, apply for the City of Hollywood Vacation Rental License and complete the online process in the city portal.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales and transient rental tax using the state’s guidance.
- Open a Broward County Tourist Development Tax account at the county’s TDT page.
- Apply for a DBPR vacation rental license if your use meets state criteria: DBPR license overview.
- Set your insurance correctly
- Request the association’s master policy declarations.
- Adjust your HO-6 policy for interior coverage and loss assessment per Fannie Mae’s guidance.
- Prepare your operations
- Use the association’s lease form or addendum if required.
- Follow the tenant approval process and timelines.
- Handle security deposits under Florida Statute 83.49.
- Decide who files taxes each period and verify any platform remittances.
- Keep records and renew
- Maintain a guest log and any city-required postings.
- Calendar renewal dates for city, county, state, and association approvals.
Common red flags and how to respond
- A new board rule blocks your lease after purchase. Check whether the restriction is in a properly recorded amendment and whether Section 718.110 protects your original rights based on your purchase date.
- Management refuses document requests. Florida condo law gives owners access to official association records. Make written requests and follow up in writing.
- Large master-policy deductible surprises. Review your association’s declarations and increase HO-6 loss assessment limits before listing.
- Missing city or state registrations. Operating without required licenses can lead to fines or business interruptions. Use the city’s rules and portals above to verify compliance before you go live.
Work with a local advisor who knows condos
A clean setup makes your rental smoother, more profitable, and less risky. If you want help coordinating association approvals, city and state registrations, pricing strategy, and day-to-day property management, connect with Maximiliano Ricca for a consultation. As a bilingual, South Florida-based condo advisor, he supports local and international owners across Hollywood Beach and the coastal corridor.
FAQs
What licenses do I need to legally rent a Hollywood Beach condo short term?
- If you rent for less than 30 days or less than a calendar month more than three times per year, you typically need a City of Hollywood Vacation Rental License, a DBPR vacation rental license, Florida Department of Revenue tax registration, and a Broward County Tourist Development Tax account.
How much is Broward County’s Tourist Development Tax on short-term rentals?
- Broward County’s Tourist Development Tax is 6 percent on rentals of six months or less, and you must register and file with the county on your assigned schedule.
Does Florida tax rentals of six months or less in condos?
- Yes. Florida treats rentals of living or sleeping accommodations for six months or less as taxable transient rentals that require registration and periodic filing with the Department of Revenue.
Can my condo association stop me from renting after I buy?
- Florida’s condo law often limits retroactive enforcement of new rental bans or stricter terms against current owners, but you must review your recorded declaration and any amendments to see what applies to your specific situation.
Where can I find my building’s official rental restrictions?
- Confirm your condo’s legal name and folio with the Broward County Property Appraiser, then pull the Declaration and amendments in the Broward County Official Records, and request current rules and minutes from your association.
What insurance should I have as a condo landlord in Hollywood Beach?
- Review the association’s master policy and carry an HO-6 that covers interior finishes, personal property, liability, loss of use, and adequate loss assessment coverage to address master deductibles and uncovered losses.
How do I handle tenant security deposits in Florida condos?
- Follow Florida Statute 83.49, which sets rules for holding deposits in proper accounts, giving written notices, and returning funds within required timelines.
