Hollywood, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

Short-term rentals are permitted in the city of Hollywood, but it is regulated. The city of Hollywood defines vacation rentals as “Any dwelling unit designed to be occupied as the residence or living quarters of not more than one family, that is a transient public lodging establishment, but that is not a timeshare project.”  The following are the requirements for Maximum Occupancy:

1. Each vacation rental shall have a minimum gross floor area of 150 square feet for the first occupant and not less than 100 square feet for each additional occupant.
2. Every room in a vacation rental used for sleeping purposes (“bedroom”) must have a gross floor area of not less than 70 square feet; when occupied by more than one occupant, it shall have a gross floor area of not less than 50 square feet for each occupant. The maximum number of occupants for each bedroom shall be two.
3. At all times other than overnight, the maximum occupancy of a Vacation Rental shall not exceed one and one-half (1.5) times the maximum overnight occupancy. Up to four persons under four years of age are exempt from and shall not count towards the occupancy limits set in Vacation Rental License Regulations § 119.34. 

Business License Requirements

To operate a short-term rental in the city of Hollywood, Florida, the property host must obtain the following  licenses:

1. Vacation Rental License Certificate 
2. Certificate of Use Application 
3. Business Tax Receipt

 Additional documentation, including paperwork from state and county agencies, is required for the Vacation Rental License application. The owner certification form should be filled out and notarized before being uploaded with the application:  

• Current and active license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Current and active certificate of registration with the Florida Department of Revenue.
• A current and active account with the Broward County Tax Collector for Tourist Development Tax.
• Current Local Business Tax Receipt with the Broward County Tax Collector and the City of Hollywood.
• An interior building sketch by floor.
• Sketch of all on-site parking spaces.
• Notarized letter from property owner designating the Vacation Rental Representative (if Representative is not the property owner).
• Notarized certification bearing the signature of all owner(s) and all their authorized responsible party(ies).

 Read the complete Vacation Rental License Application CheckList for more information.

Vacation Rental Quick Reference: Hotel Rooms

• Certificate of Use: Yes, Hotel operator only
• Business Tax Receipt: Yes, use code 39
• Vacation Rental License: No
• Reservations and Property Management: Can ONLY be booked by a hotel operator

 Condo-hotel Rooms 

• Certificate of Use: Yes, Condo-hotel operator only; not individual room owners
• Business Tax Receipt: Yes, use code 39
• Vacation Rental License: No
• Reservations and Property Management: Can ONLY be booked by a hotel operator and NOT by the owner

Condo Units 

• Certificate of Use: No
• Business Tax Receipt: Yes, use codes 04 and 05
• Vacation Rental License: Yes, if rented three or more times per year for less than 30 days
• Reservations and Property Management: Can be by owner, listing agent, Management Company, etc. If located in a hotel or condo building/property, then it can be done by the hotel operator.

 Single-family Home

• Certificate of Use: No
• Business Tax Receipt: Yes, use code 01
• Vacation Rental License: Yes, if rented three or more times per year for less than 30 days
• Reservations and Property Management: Can be by owner, listing agent, Management Company, etc. 

 Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex, Apt.Unit

• Certificate of Use: Yes
• Business Tax Receipt: Yes, use codes 03 and 08
• Vacation Rental License: Yes, if rented three or more times per year for less than 30 days
• Reservations and Property Management: Can be by owner, listing agent, Management Company, etc.

Building and Housing Standards

The city of Hollywood enforces rules and regulations specifying minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including regulations on habitability, health, and safety. Certain regulations that apply to residential and non-residential uses may be relevant to your listing. You should consult § 119.30 of Hollywood, Florida – Vacation Rental License Regulations and refer to the Residential Inspection Check List. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

The property owner must also register for the Tourist Development Tax, known as “resort tax” or “bed tax,” a local option transient rental tax collected by Broward County.  You must register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a Sales Tax Number before applying for a Broward County Tourist Tax account.

Other Rules

The Noise Ordinance is strictly enforced by the City of Hollywood Code Compliance and the Hollywood Police Department. The Noise Ordinance restrictions, in particular, took effect in 2021. The noise level on the premises and surroundings is loud and excessive. It is especially when it crosses a property line, disrupting residents' serene living environments and a community's tranquility. As a result, Hollywood's Noise Ordinance specifies that the Quiet Hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.