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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sunny Isles Beach, FL

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

Zoning & Conditions

Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons, up to a maximum of 12 (excluding children under 3). A designated Responsible Party must be available 24/7, respond in person within one hour of notification, and maintain guest registers. Condominium units require a consent letter from the association or proof of bylaws allowing rentals.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Gather required documents including a notarized application, state DBPR license, Florida Dept of Revenue registration, Miami-Dade tax registration, and liability insurance. 2) Submit the application and documents online via the City’s SmartGov portal. 3) Pay the $100 Local Business Tax Receipt and $300 Vacation Rental License fee; licenses must be renewed annually between August 1 and September 30.

Regulatory Updates — Sunny Isles Beach

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedOctober 2024

Responsible Party Response Requirement Enforced

Sunny Isles Beach increased enforcement of its one-hour in-person Responsible Party response requirement, issuing permit warnings after complaints went unaddressed for more than 60 minutes.

PassedJune 2024

12-Person Occupancy Cap Clarified for Luxury Units

The City clarified that the 12-person maximum applies even to large luxury condos where the 2+2 formula might otherwise allow more guests, reducing ambiguity for high-bedroom-count units.

PassedJanuary 2024

FL SB 280 Compliance Review Completed

Sunny Isles Beach confirmed its STR permit requirements and occupancy standards comply with Florida's SB 280 as permissible manner-and-place regulations, maintaining enforcement authority.

Official Resources

Official Sunny Isles Beach STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FVRMA)Statewide

Florida's statewide vacation rental trade group monitoring Sunny Isles Beach STR ordinances and SB 280 compliance in the Miami-Dade luxury coastal market.

Florida RealtorsStatewide

Statewide real estate association advocating for property owner rights under SB 280 and tracking Sunny Isles Beach regulatory developments.

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors BureauLocal

Regional destination marketing organization monitoring STR accommodation supply in Sunny Isles Beach and its contribution to Miami-Dade's luxury visitor market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Sunny Isles Beach, FL?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, but with restrictions. Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons, up to a maximum of 12 (excluding children under 3). A designated Responsible Party must be available 24/7, respond in person within one hour of notification, and maintain guest registers. Condominium units require a consent letter from the association or proof of bylaws allowing rentals. 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 Sunny Isles Beach, FL?
Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons, up to a maximum of 12 (excluding children under 3). A designated Responsible Party must be available 24/7, respond in person within one hour of notification, and maintain guest registers. Condominium units require a consent letter from the association or proof of bylaws allowing rentals.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Sunny Isles Beach?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sunny Isles Beach. 1) Gather required documents including a notarized application, state DBPR license, Florida Dept of Revenue registration, Miami-Dade tax registration, and liability insurance. 2) Submit the application and documents online via the City’s SmartGov portal. 3) Pay the $100 Local Business Tax Receipt and $300 Vacation Rental License fee; licenses must be renewed annually between August 1 and September 30.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Sunny Isles Beach?
1) Gather required documents including a notarized application, state DBPR license, Florida Dept of Revenue registration, Miami-Dade tax registration, and liability insurance. 2) Submit the application and documents online via the City’s SmartGov portal. 3) Pay the $100 Local Business Tax Receipt and $300 Vacation Rental License fee; licenses must be renewed annually between August 1 and September 30.
Is Vrbo legal in Sunny Isles Beach, FL?
Vrbo is permitted in Sunny Isles Beach, 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 Sunny Isles Beach?
Short-term rental hosts in Sunny Isles Beach 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 Sunny Isles Beach?
The most recent tracked change in Sunny Isles Beach is "Responsible Party Response Requirement Enforced" (2024-10-01, status: passed). Sunny Isles Beach increased enforcement of its one-hour in-person Responsible Party response requirement, issuing permit warnings after complaints went unaddressed for more than 60 minutes. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.
What is the maximum occupancy for my Sunny Isles Beach STR?
Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons, with a hard maximum of 12 persons regardless of bedroom count. Children under age 3 are excluded from this count. A large 5-bedroom unit is still capped at 12, not the 12 that the formula would otherwise produce.
What are the Responsible Party requirements in Sunny Isles Beach?
Your Responsible Party must be available 24/7 and able to respond in person to the property within one hour of notification. This is a strict requirement — a contact who cannot physically respond within 60 minutes does not satisfy it. Keep your Responsible Party's information current with the city.
Can Sunny Isles Beach ban STRs in my condo building?
No. Florida's SB 280 prevents the city from banning STRs. However, your individual condo association may have its own rules restricting or prohibiting short-term rentals — those are enforced as contract law between you and the association, not city law.
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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