Lakeland, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Lakeland Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals are allowed, and there are no restrictions as Section 509.032(7) (b) of the Florida Statutes addresses the regulation of short-term vacation rentals. Under the current law, which was first passed by the legislature in June 2011, cities and counties may not prohibit or limit the frequency and duration of vacation rentals.Business License Requirements
Short-term rentals don't need a business license in Lakeland but might be subject to state and county registration and are liable for payment as established by state and county law.Building and Housing Standards
Lakeland has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Building Inspection Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Lakeland website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating7.1
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Competition
7.8 -
Real Estate Cost
8.2 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
8.4 -
Rental Rates
3.1
Lakeland, Florida Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 112,641
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- February to June
- County
- Polk
- Airports
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Want to learn more about Lakeland?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Lakeland rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Lakeland rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Lakeland.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Lakeland guests.
Interested in other Florida cities?
Check out the Florida Airbnb rules directory
What makes Lakeland a great place to invest?
- Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo - Held annually in April, this world-renowned aviation event features air shows, exhibits, and educational programs for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. With over 500 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from around the world, the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is a must-visit for anyone interested in aviation.
- Florida Southern College - Known as the "Campus of Frank Lloyd Wright", Florida Southern College is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. Visitors can take a guided tour of the campus and learn about the history and design principles behind Wright's iconic structures.
- Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market - This weekly farmers market features fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal crafts from local vendors. Held every Saturday, the market is a great place to experience Lakeland's vibrant local culture and support small businesses.
- Lake Mirror - Located in the heart of downtown Lakeland, Lake Mirror is a beautiful public park that features a historic promenade, ornate fountains, and scenic views of the surrounding cityscape. Visitors can rent a paddleboat or bike to explore the park's many amenities and attractions.
- Colt Creek State Park - Just a short drive from Lakeland, Colt Creek State Park is a 5,067-acre nature preserve that offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. With over 15 miles of trails and a wide range of wildlife to observe, this park is a great destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Lakeland Nearby Cities
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20 miles away
- Rating: 5.6
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35 miles away
- Rating: 5.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Lakeland?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Lakeland has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $188, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$299,257
2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$188
-3% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,804
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Lakeland, Florida
Common terms for Lakeland short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Lakeland has a description approximately 1,118 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 638 listings in Lakeland, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Lakeland, Beautiful, Family, Place, Downtown Lakeland, Pool, Lake Hollingsworth, Quiet, Florida Southern, and Perfect.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Lakeland?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Lakeland involve Boating, Adventure Activities, the City Centre, Wildlife Viewing, and Antiquing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Boating
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Adventure Activities
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City Centre
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Wildlife Viewing
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Antiquing
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Museums
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Health Spa
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Cycling
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Water Sports
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Water Skiing
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Swimming
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Jet Skiing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Lakeland, including LEGOLAND Florida, RP Funding Center, Lakeside Village, Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, and Lakeland Square Mall. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Local Landmark
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Lake Mirror
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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RP Funding Center
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Lakeside Village
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium
Included on 81% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Lakeland Square Mall
Included on 73% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Sun N Fun Air Museum
Included on 12% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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LEGOLAND Florida
Included on 10% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club
Included on 3% of listings
What’s the weather like in Lakeland, Florida?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 82°, while the average low is about 62°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 41 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Lakeland are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
52° Low 73° High
Spring
March through May
61° Low 83° High
Summer
June through August
72° Low 90° High
Fall
September through November
65° Low 83° High
Cities Near Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida, is located in Polk County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
