Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Winter Haven, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Winter Haven, FL, but with restrictions. No city-specific short-term rental ordinance was found in the City of Winter Haven municipal code. Polk County requires a Class B county local business tax receipt for rentals of six months or less, and proof of a Florida DBPR vacation-rental license is required. Properties must also comply with Polk County tourist development tax requirements and Winter Haven zoning/building codes. 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.

No city-specific short-term rental ordinance was found in the City of Winter Haven municipal code. Polk County requires a Class B county local business tax receipt for rentals of six months or less, and proof of a Florida DBPR vacation-rental license is required. Properties must also comply with Polk County tourist development tax requirements and Winter Haven zoning/building codes.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Winter Haven. 1) Obtain a Florida vacation-rental license from the DBPR. 2) Apply for a Polk County Class B local business tax receipt for each rental location through the Polk County Tax Collector, providing proof of the DBPR license. 3) Register for and remit Polk County Tourist Development Tax.

1) Obtain a Florida vacation-rental license from the DBPR. 2) Apply for a Polk County Class B local business tax receipt for each rental location through the Polk County Tax Collector, providing proof of the DBPR license. 3) Register for and remit Polk County Tourist Development Tax.

Vrbo is permitted in Winter Haven, 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.

Short-term rental hosts in Winter Haven 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.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Winter Haven. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.