Airbnb Rules in Florida 2026: Laws, Licenses & HOA Traps

Yes — you can generally run an Airbnb in Florida. A 2011 state law bars local governments from banning short-term rentals or regulating how often or how long you rent them, which makes Florida one of the most short-term-rental-friendly states in the country. But that state-level protection has three major carve-outs: ordinances that were already on the books before June 1, 2011, state licensing and tax rules enforced by the DBPR, and — most important for investors — private HOA and condo covenants, which can prohibit short-term rentals outright . This guide walks through each layer of the rules as of October 2026, what investors need to check before buying a vacation rental, and how the Orlando-area market fits into the picture. The 2011 Preemption Law: Why Florida Works Differently Most states leave short-term rental regulation entirely to cities and counties, which is why places like New York City and San Francisco have effectively banned Airbnbs. Florida took the opposite approach....

Read guide →