Short-term rental rules in Davenport, FL

What Davenport asks of you

• Section 4.03.19 of the land development regulations reads, in full: "Short term rental units are allowed per State of Florida statutes."^[6]

• Short-term rentals are permitted with conditions in every residential zoning district, from AG to MH-2.^[6]

• A business located or operating inside the city limits pays an annual business tax. It needs receipts from both the city and Polk County.^[7]

• The city application asks for your DBPR state license number where one applies. A copy of your Polk County tax receipt goes with it.^[8]

• Where HOA approval applies, the form asks for a copy of the approval letter. It also asks for an after-hours contact and phone number.^[8]

• The fee schedule in Section 10-26 of the city code has no line for short-term or vacation rentals.^[9]

• Each city license becomes payable on October 1 and remains valid through the following September 30.^[9]

• Operating without a license adds 50 percent of any fee still unpaid after December 31 to the penalty under section 1-7.^[9]

What Florida asks wherever you host

These rules apply at this address whatever the city decides.

• Florida licenses vacation rentals itself. A dwelling license covers houses, townhouses and buildings of up to four units. A condominium or cooperative unit takes a condominium license instead. The license costs $150 plus $10 per rental unit, plus a $10 hospitality education fee.^[2]

• No Florida city may ban vacation rentals. It may not set how long or how often you rent either. The one exception is a local ordinance already in force on June 1, 2011, which still applies.^[1]

• State sales tax is due on every rental of six months or less. A bona fide written lease for more than six months of continuous residence is exempt. So is the seventh month onward once a guest has stayed and paid for six.^[3]