Hollywood, Florida sits in the sweet spot between Miami and Fort Lauderdale — which is exactly why it has become one of Broward County's most active short-term rental markets. But Hollywood has its own licensing requirements, and the city enforces them.
This guide covers everything you need to legally operate a vacation rental in Hollywood, FL in 2026. If you want the process handled for you, our team manages the full application.
What Is a Short-Term Rental in Hollywood, FL?
The City of Hollywood defines a vacation rental as any dwelling unit that is rented for periods of less than six months and one day, and rented more than three times in a calendar year. This includes single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and apartments.
Hollywood falls within Broward County, so you are subject to both City of Hollywood regulations and Broward County requirements.
Licenses Required to Operate
Hollywood requires hosts to hold multiple licenses simultaneously. Missing any one of them puts you out of compliance.
- DBPR License — From the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Required for any property rented more than 3 times annually for stays under 6 months.
- City of Hollywood Vacation Rental License — A local license issued by the City of Hollywood's Building Services Division.
- Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — Required from the City of Hollywood before operating.
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax Registration — You must register and collect the county tourist tax on all bookings.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Register for DBPR license at myfloridalicense.com — select Vacation Rental (Single Family or Condo)
- Schedule and pass your DBPR inspection — covers fire safety, egress, smoke detectors, and general habitability
- Apply for your City of Hollywood Vacation Rental License — through the Building Services Division with your DBPR license in hand
- Obtain your Business Tax Receipt — from the City of Hollywood Finance Department
- Register for Broward County Tourist Development Tax — through the Broward County Revenue Collection Division
- Post all required notices — occupancy limits, emergency contacts, and local rules must be displayed inside the unit
Safety and Inspection Requirements
- Smoke detectors — required in every sleeping area
- Carbon monoxide detector — required if gas appliances or attached garage present
- Fire extinguisher — must be present and current on inspection tag
- Pool safety — if your property has a pool, compliant barrier fencing and self-latching gates are required
- Maximum occupancy posting — must be visibly displayed inside the unit
- Emergency contact information — must be posted for guests
Tax Obligations
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax: 6% of gross rental revenue for stays under 6 months
- Florida State Sales Tax: 6% on short-term rental income
- Discretionary Sales Surtax: 1% additional Broward County surtax
Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit most of these taxes automatically in Broward County. However, you are still required to maintain your own tax registration regardless of platform.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The City of Hollywood actively enforces STR regulations. Operating without a valid license can result in:
- Fines starting at $250 per day per violation
- DBPR fines of $500 for first violations, up to $1,000 for repeat offenses
- License revocation
- Forced removal of listings from platforms
Realistic Timeline
Expect 4 to 6 weeks to complete the full Hollywood licensing process when managing it yourself. The DBPR inspection is typically the longest bottleneck.
Get Your Hollywood STR License Done For You
Our team has helped dozens of Hollywood, FL property owners get fully licensed — handling DBPR applications, city license submissions, BTR registration, and tax setup simultaneously so nothing falls through the cracks.
Contact us today and we'll have your property compliant and ready to host.
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