What are the key requirements for Lakeland hosts?

You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.

What should Lakeland hosts know about a state dbpr license is?

A state DBPR license is required before the county will issue your business tax receipt.

What should Lakeland hosts know about balcony inspections are mandatory every?

Balcony inspections are mandatory every 3 years for properties 3 stories or higher.

What should Lakeland hosts know about the total tax rate of?

The total tax rate of 12% is higher than many other parts of the state due to the 5% TDT and 1% surtax.

Short-Term Rental Laws in Lakeland, FL

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Verified: Feb 4, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Lakeland follows a 'hands-off' approach to short-term rentals, relying on Florida state law for primary regulation while requiring local business tax receipts at both the city and county levels.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

The City of Lakeland does not have a specific short-term rental permit, but you must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt from the city and a Class B Business Tax Receipt from Polk County. You are also required to have a state license from the Florida DBPR and collect a total of 12% in taxes from guests. Safety requirements include standard fire safety equipment and a balcony inspection every three years for taller buildings.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$58

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

•Lakeland allows STRs in the following zones: RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RA-4, RB, MF, O-1.
•Lakeland allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Multi-Family, ADU.
•Lakeland does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements(9)

•Lakeland STR warning: A state DBPR license is required before the county will issue your business tax receipt.
•Lakeland STR warning: Balcony inspections are mandatory every 3 years for properties 3 stories or higher.
•Lakeland STR warning: You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.

Application Process(6)

•Lakeland STR permit - Step 2: Register for State and County Taxes. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a Sales Tax Certificate and with the Polk County Tax Collector for a Tourist Development Tax (TDT) account. Required documents: FEIN or SSN, Property address. Time: 1-2 weeks.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Polk County charges a registration fee of $57.75 (annual).
•Florida charges a registration fee of $210 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Polk County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.01%.
•Florida charges a state-level Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.06%.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Lakeland requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, noise restrictions (Standard city noise ordinance applies).

Penalties(1)

•Lakeland enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: Varies by code enforcement. Subsequent violations: Daily fines for non-compliance with business tax registration.

Exemptions(1)

•Lakeland exempts the following from STR regulations: bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Rentals for 30+ days are considered long-term and exempt from transient taxes.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Florida

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in the City of Orlando are strictly regulated under 'Home-Sharing' rules, which require the property to be the host's primary residence. Hosts must be present on-site during the rental and are only permitted to rent out a portion of their home (e.g., a spare bedroom) rather than the entire unit.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Fort Myers

Florida

Permissive

The City of Fort Myers does not currently have a specific municipal ordinance regulating or prohibiting short-term rentals. Hosts must instead focus on compliance with Florida State (DBPR) licensing and Lee County Tourist Development Tax requirements.

0.1% total tax

Hollywood

Florida

Moderate

The City of Hollywood, FL requires all vacation rental hosts to obtain a specific Vacation Rental License under Chapter 119 of the Municipal Code. This includes an initial $500 fee, annual inspections, and strict adherence to occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

St. Pete Beach

Florida

Moderate

St. Pete Beach requires all vacation rentals to obtain a local Business Tax Receipt and maintain state/county licenses. While allowed city-wide, properties in most residential districts are strictly limited in how many times they can be rented per year (maximum of 3 times per 12-month period in certain zones).

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Lakeland

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

Requirements(9)

Application Process(6)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(1)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach

Lakeland

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lakeland?

2What taxes are required for Lakeland short-term rentals?

3What are the safety requirements for Lakeland rentals?

4Is there a night limit for Lakeland STRs?

5How do I register my Lakeland rental?

Related Content

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach