Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Dania, FL?

Yes—short-term rentals are explicitly permitted in Dania Beach for qualifying dwellings. The City’s Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances governs “vacation rentals” in single-family through four-family dwellings. Rentals of all or any portion of a unit for fewer than five consecutive days are prohibited. Each dwelling unit used as a vacation rental must have a separate City Vacation Rental Certificate, a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Vacation Rental License, and a Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR). The property must meet all zoning, building, housing, life-safety, and fire code requirements, and pass city inspection prior to operation and annually thereafter. The City’s rules are “grandfathered” under state preemption (pre-2011 local regulations are preserved), which allows local standards like minimum stay and certificate/inspection frameworks.

Source: City of Dania Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16: Vacation Rentals (eLaws) link; City Planning & Zoning FAQs link; Florida Association of County Attorneys (FACA) brief on preemption link.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Dania Beach (Step-by-Step)

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Ensure the property is a single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family dwelling. Vacation rentals are not allowed in multi-family buildings with more than four units under Chapter 16.
• Check current zoning and overlays (e.g., RAC) using the City’s Interactive Zoning Map link, City Zoning Map link, and the City’s Code of Ordinances on Municode link.

2. Obtain the Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License

• If you rent the property more than three times in a calendar year for less than 30 days or 1 calendar month (whichever is less), or you advertise it as available for rent, Florida law requires a DBPR Vacation Rental License. Renew annually.
• DBPR license portal link.

3. Apply for the City Certificate of Use (CU)

• A CU confirms that a vacation rental use is allowed in the zoning district and that parking requirements are met. It is required before the Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) and prior to any building permits if applicable.
• CU Application link. There is a $50 review fee.
• City requirements and CU details link.

4. Apply for the Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

• BTR issuance follows CU approval and is required to operate a business (vacation rental) in Dania Beach. Submit the BTR application once the CU is approved; contact Planning & Zoning for the BTR application form and current fee. Planning contact link.

5. City Vacation Rental Certificate Application

• Submit the City’s Vacation Rental Application Packet, which includes application forms, inspection scheduling, and compliance attestations. Each dwelling unit requires its own certificate.
• Vacation Rental Application Packet (rev. 5-15-2023) link.

6. Schedule and pass inspection

• The City performs inspections to verify compliance with zoning, building, housing, density, life-safety, and fire codes prior to issuance of the certificate, and again annually.
• Note: If no adult is present at the scheduled inspection, a “no-show” fee applies. If access is denied or three attempts fail, the City will notify you by certified mail and you must arrange re-inspection within 10 days.

7. Operate with required postings and agent designation

• Post the required notices inside the unit (within 10 feet of the front door) and designate a Vacation Rental Agent who is available 24/7 and can respond on-site within three hours.
• Postings, agent duties, and obligations are detailed in Chapter 16.

8. Renewal cycle

• City Vacation Rental Certificate expires September 30 each year. Renew by October 31.
• Renewal documentation includes Municipal Lien Search results, a new City application, and proof of the current DBPR license.
• Renewal fee: $530, which includes inspection and certificate fees; Municipal Lien Search fee: $100.

Sources: City FAQs link; Chapter 16 (eLaws) link; City Planning & Zoning Division link; Vacation Rental Application Packet link; Municipal Lien Search link.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Dania Beach (Local)

• City Vacation Rental Certificate application packet link
• Certificate of Use (CU) application and approval ($50 review fee) link
• Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) application (obtained after CU approval; contact Planning & Zoning for form and fee)
• Municipal Lien Search results (required at renewal; $100 fee) link
• Property sketch/floor plan and site plan showing designated parking spaces
• Proof of compliance with Florida Tax and Revenue Act (Chapter 212) and Public Lodging Establishments (Chapter 509), plus Florida Fire Safety standards (Rules 69A-43 and 69A-60) where applicable
• Vacation Rental Agent designation and written certification (must be 18+, either present at a business location in the City or a City resident; available 24/7; able to respond on-site within three hours; must receive service of notices)
• Annual inspection and re-inspection (pre-issuance and annually)
• Renewal fee: $530 (includes inspection and certificate), Lien Search: $100

State of Florida (DBPR)

• DBPR Vacation Rental License (required if you rent the unit more than three times per year for periods less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or you advertise it for rent)
• License application portal link

County (Broward County)

• Tourist Development Tax (BEDT) may apply to short-term rentals; consult the Broward County Revenue Division for registration, filings, and current rates. (Per local practice in South Florida counties; confirm specifics with the County).

Property Context

• Zoning confirmation via the City’s Interactive Zoning Map link and zoning ordinances link

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City, County, State)

City of Dania Beach (Chapter 16)

• Applicability: single-family through four-family dwellings only. Vacation rentals in multi-family buildings with more than four units are not covered by Chapter 16 and therefore not permitted as “vacation rentals” under City law.
• Minimum stay: No rental for fewer than five consecutive days.
• Certificates and licenses: Vacation Rental Certificate required for each unit; must also obtain City BTR and comply with all codes (zoning, building, housing, density, life/safety, and fire).
• Inspections: Initial inspection required; annual re-inspection mandatory; “no-show” and access-denial fees apply if appointments are missed or access is not provided.
• Agent: Owner must designate a Vacation Rental Agent with 24/7 availability and on-site response within three hours; agent receives service of notices; agent status can be suspended or revoked for violations.
• Occupancy: Maximum is two persons per bedroom plus two, capped at ten persons total; cannot violate Chapter 8 housing standards.
• Posting requirements (inside the unit, within 10 feet of the front door):
  • Agent’s name, address, phone number
  • Maximum occupancy
  • Maximum vehicles and parking space sketch
  • Trash pickup days and storage rules (no outside storage except after 6:00 pm the day before pickup; containers removed from curb by 6:00 pm on pickup day)
  • Nearest hospital and police station locations
  • Legible copies of: City Vacation Rental Certificate, Chapter 16, and the guest rental agreement for the current stay
• Trash handling: Use covered trash container(s) provided by the City’s hauler; placement/curbside pickup must follow City rules.
• Parking: Guests may park only in spaces designated on the certificate.
• Evacuation: All occupants must evacuate upon posting of any nonresident evacuation order.
• Violations and fines: Each day of operation without a certificate constitutes a separate violation; administrative inspection/re-inspection fees may be assessed and liened.

Broward County (Tourist Development Tax)

• Short-term rentals typically require registration and monthly/quarterly filings for the Tourist Development Tax (also known as Bed Tax). Contact the Broward County Revenue Division for current requirements and filing procedures. (This is a county-level fiscal requirement; confirm specifics with the County).

State of Florida (DBPR)

• Vacation Rental License is mandatory if the unit is rented more than three times in a calendar year for periods less than 30 days or one calendar month (whichever is less), or if it is advertised for rent. License must be renewed annually. The license is the primary state-level compliance credential for transient public lodging establishments.

Preemption Context (Grandfathering)

• Dania’s local framework is preserved under state preemption because it was in place before June 1, 2011. The City may regulate vacation rentals consistent with Chapter 509 but may not prohibit them or regulate the duration or frequency based solely on classification, use, or occupancy. Dania’s minimum stay and certificate/inspection requirements are allowed under the grandfathered status.

Sources: Chapter 16 (eLaws) link; City FAQs link; Planning & Zoning Division link; FACA brief link; DBPR portal link.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

City of Dania Beach – Planning & Zoning Division

• Address: 100 W Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004
• Phone: 954-924-6800
  • Planning & Zoning main line: x3762
  • Vacation Rental intake: x3793
• Email: planning@daniabeachfl.gov
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday by appointment
• Vacation Rental questions and application intake: Planning & Zoning
• Departmental page (Planning & Zoning) link

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

• Vacation Rental License portal link
• DBPR contact and licensing guidance link

Broward County Revenue Division (Tourist Development Tax)

• Contact Broward County for Tourist Development Tax registration and filing. (County-specific contacts are not included in the provided materials; confirm with the County).

Source Pages (Important Links)

• City of Dania Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16: Vacation Rentals – §16-2 link
• City FAQs: Vacation Rentals and related processes link
• Planning & Zoning Division (programs and contacts) link
• Vacation Rental Application Packet (rev. 5-15-2023) link
• Certificate of Use (CU) Application link
• Municipal Lien Search link
• DBPR Vacation Rental License portal link
• City of Dania Beach Code of Ordinances (Municode) link
• Interactive Zoning Map link