Comparent
RestrictedCity

Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Miami, FL

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Which rules apply

Regulation layers for Miami

Zoning & Conditions

Short-term rentals are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 days. Requirements include an Operational Management Plan (OMP) signed by the HOA/COA for multi-family units, a 24/7 local responsible party, mandatory nationwide sexual offender screenings for all guests, and maintenance of a guest register for county inspection.

Certificate of Use (CU) & Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

Short-term rentals in Miami, FL are governed by Certificate of Use (CU) & Business Tax Receipt (BTR).

STR License Types

License TypeDescription
Vacation Rental Certificate of UseThe City of Miami requires a Certificate of Use and a Business Tax Receipt to operate a vacation/short-term rental, with operation limited to specific zoning transect districts.Eligibility: Property located in an STR-eligible zoning district

How to Obtain a Permit

1. Obtain a State DBPR license and register for a Tourist Tax Account. 2. Apply for a Building Permit via the iBuild portal (selecting 'Remodeling/Repairs' and 'Commercial'), uploading an Operational Management Plan signed by the HOA/COA. 3. Obtain or update a Certificate of Use (CU) from the Zoning Department and a Business Tax Receipt (BTR), both of which require annual renewal.

Regulatory Updates — Miami

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedSeptember 2024

Increased Enforcement & Higher Fines

Miami ramped up STR enforcement in 2024–2025, with fines for unlicensed operation rising to $5,000 per day. Code compliance officers now actively cross-reference vacation rental listings against the city's permit database.

Under ReviewNovember 2025

City Commission Review of Zoning Overlay Districts

The Miami City Commission is reviewing whether to create STR-restricted zoning overlay districts in historically residential neighborhoods, which could effectively ban STRs in those areas without triggering SB 280's preemption provisions.

PassedJune 2021

Miami Beach STR Ban — Spillover Political Risk

Miami Beach (a separate municipality) fully banned non-hosted short-term rentals in most residential zones in 2021. The political pressure from Miami Beach has influenced Miami commissioners, who face similar constituent complaints about noise and housing costs.

Official source

Official Resources

Official Miami STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FVRMA)Statewide

Statewide trade association representing Florida vacation rental managers and owners. Active lobbying on SB 280 preemption protections and state-level STR legislation.

Airbnb Host Community — MiamiLocal

Airbnb's local host advocacy network organizes Miami hosts to engage with city officials on licensing requirements and enforcement policies.

National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM)National

National organization with Florida chapters that advocates for property owner rights, including STR operational rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Miami, FL?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Miami, FL, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 days. Requirements include an Operational Management Plan (OMP) signed by the HOA/COA for multi-family units, a 24/7 local responsible party, mandatory nationwide sexual offender screenings for all guests, and maintenance of a guest register for county inspection. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Miami, FL?
Short-term rentals are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 days. Requirements include an Operational Management Plan (OMP) signed by the HOA/COA for multi-family units, a 24/7 local responsible party, mandatory nationwide sexual offender screenings for all guests, and maintenance of a guest register for county inspection.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Miami?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Miami. 1. Obtain a State DBPR license and register for a Tourist Tax Account. 2. Apply for a Building Permit via the iBuild portal (selecting 'Remodeling/Repairs' and 'Commercial'), uploading an Operational Management Plan signed by the HOA/COA. 3. Obtain or update a Certificate of Use (CU) from the Zoning Department and a Business Tax Receipt (BTR), both of which require annual renewal.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Miami?
1. Obtain a State DBPR license and register for a Tourist Tax Account. 2. Apply for a Building Permit via the iBuild portal (selecting 'Remodeling/Repairs' and 'Commercial'), uploading an Operational Management Plan signed by the HOA/COA. 3. Obtain or update a Certificate of Use (CU) from the Zoning Department and a Business Tax Receipt (BTR), both of which require annual renewal.
Is Vrbo legal in Miami, FL?
Vrbo is permitted in Miami, FL under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Miami?
Short-term rental hosts in Miami are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Miami?
The most recent tracked change in Miami is "Increased Enforcement & Higher Fines" (2024-09-01, status: passed). Miami ramped up STR enforcement in 2024–2025, with fines for unlicensed operation rising to $5,000 per day. Code compliance officers now actively cross-reference vacation rental listings against the city's permit database. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.
What is Certificate of Use (CU) & Business Tax Receipt (BTR) in Miami?
Certificate of Use (CU) & Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is the local short-term rental law that governs Airbnb and Vrbo rentals in Miami, FL. It establishes 1 short-term rental license type: Vacation Rental Certificate of Use. See the official source linked on this page for the full ordinance text and current requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What short-term rental license types are available in Miami?
Miami recognizes 1 short-term rental license type: Vacation Rental Certificate of Use. Vacation Rental Certificate of Use: The City of Miami requires a Certificate of Use and a Business Tax Receipt to operate a vacation/short-term rental, with operation limited to specific zoning transect districts. See the STR License Types table on this page for full details.
Does Miami Beach's STR ban affect properties in the City of Miami?
No. Miami Beach and the City of Miami are separate municipalities with independent regulations. The STR ban in Miami Beach does not apply to properties within Miami city limits. However, the two cities are geographically close and often confused — always verify your exact jurisdiction before assuming which rules apply.
What does Florida's SB 280 preemption law mean for Miami STR operators?
Florida SB 280, enacted in 2011, prevents local governments from enacting STR regulations more restrictive than what was in place before the law passed. This means Miami cannot impose a blanket ban on STRs in areas where they were previously allowed. Existing permitted operators have significant legal protection. However, the city can still enforce licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and noise ordinances.
How long does it take to get an STR license in Miami?
Processing times for Miami-Dade County vacation rental licenses typically range from 4–8 weeks for complete applications. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues the state license, which must be obtained before the local city registration. Incomplete applications significantly extend processing times.

Sponsored

Featured Property Managers

  • Memories Vacation Home Management logo

    Memories Vacation Home Management

    Memories Vacation Home Management is a Kissimmee, Florida manager since 2022, overseeing 125 homes across five markets with full-service, in-house management and strong occupancy.

    View profile
  • Casiola Vacation Homes logo

    Casiola Vacation Homes

    Casiola Vacation Homes is an award-winning Orlando manager founded in 2014, overseeing 395 homes across Orlando and Miami with strong occupancy and a notably international owner base.

    View profile
  • The Maimon Group logo

    The Maimon Group

    The Maimon Group is a Los Angeles luxury manager since 2015, overseeing 329 high-end homes across California and Miami with proprietary technology and five-star villa hospitality.

    View profile
  • Hogar Management logo

    Hogar Management

    Hogar Management is a boutique Miami short- and mid-term manager focused on owner freedom, treating pricing, listings, and guest experience with hands-on, hyper-focused attention.

    View profile
Comparent

Looking for property managers in Miami, FL?

Compare top-rated short-term rental managers on Comparent — read reviews, see pricing, and find the right fit.

View Property Managers

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction