Prior to engaging in vacation rentals, the rental property must have a dwelling license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels & Restaurants. **Since Belleair Beach only permits rentals of 90 days or longer for single family homes, this applies only to condo owners in buildings that permit short term rentals.
A “vacation rental” is any unit or group of units in a condominium, or any individually or collectively owned house or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment. “Transient establishment” means any public lodging establishment that is rented or leased to guests by an operator whose intention is that such guests occupancy will be temporary. An application is available online.
What happens when if a dwelling rental license is not obtained? The owner is subject to a criminal penalty of up to 60 days in jail, including a $500 fine.