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

Yes. Short-term rentals—commonly referred to in Florida as “vacation rentals”—are permitted in the City of Lake Butler. However, Florida has a statewide licensing framework and tax regime that apply regardless of local municipality. The Lake Butler Land Development Regulations (LDR) do not appear to add a separate, city-level licensing or registration requirement for vacation rentals; therefore, investors should expect to operate under Florida’s state-level vacation rental rules and Union County requirements. In practice, that means obtaining a Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) vacation rental license if renting an entire unit more than three times per year or holding it out to the public as regularly rented, registering with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) for taxes, and meeting all applicable state health and safety standards. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws; Lake Butler LDR]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

The launch path is straightforward but requires procedural discipline. The following checklist represents the standard path for Union County (Lake Butler) investors:

1. Business and Tax Setup

• Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), if you will operate as a business entity (LLC/corporation/partnership) or if required by tax and banking considerations.
• Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect, report, and remit state sales tax, discretionary sales surtax (county), and local option transient rental taxes (often remitted through DOR on behalf of counties). Each transient accommodation must be separately registered for tax purposes. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

2. Licensing

• Apply for a Florida DBPR vacation rental license if you will rent an entire unit for fewer than 30 days (or 1 calendar month, whichever is less) more than three times in a calendar year, or advertise/hold the property out to the public as such. Renting single rooms in a dwelling is not considered public lodging and does not require a DBPR license. Apply online; digital licenses are issued promptly upon approval. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

3. Zoning and Land Use Compliance

• Confirm the property’s zoning allows the intended use. The Lake Butler LDR enumerates residential, commercial, industrial, and planned development districts. Vacation rentals (as a transient lodging use) should be evaluated against the district’s use table and any supplementary district regulations. While the LDR does not explicitly define “short-term rental” or “vacation rental,” it defines “dwelling unit” and sets baseline land use standards that will frame compliance. If you are considering a unit within a condominium or cooperative, check HOA/COA rules as well. [Source: Lake Butler LDR]

4. Health and Safety Preparation

• Ensure smoke detectors are installed in every living unit. For hearing-impaired guests, provide one specialized detector per 50 rental units. Confirm electrical safety (no unauthorized extension cords), Life Safety Code compliance, and appropriate fire extinguishers. Buildings three stories or higher require a balcony inspection certificate unless balconies/stairs are common elements of a condominium. For multi-unit properties, evaluate sprinkler requirements (sprinklers required in vacation rental condominiums when the majority of rental units are 75+ feet in height). Provide clean bedding/linens and proper sanitation for dishware/glassware between guests. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

5. Posting and Training

• Display all current licenses in an obvious place on the property.
• Provide annual human trafficking awareness training for housekeeping staff, if any. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

6. Insurance

• Obtain specialized short-term rental property and liability coverage. While not explicitly mandated by the documents provided, it is a prudent risk-control measure.

7. Registration and Fees

• Pay required fees: DBPR license (see fee schedule below). No city-level registration fee is documented in the provided materials. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

8. Hosting Platforms

• Collect and remit applicable taxes. Note that some platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com) collect and remit certain taxes directly; you remain responsible for proper registration and compliance.

9. Ongoing Obligations

• Maintain compliance with state rules, post licenses prominently, keep the unit clean and safe, and complete required trainings. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-level requirements apply. The following documentation is commonly required:

• Florida DBPR vacation rental license application (online)
  • Owner/operator main address
  • Rental location address
  • Resort classification: Single, group, or collective
  • Certificate of balcony inspection (as applicable)
  • Human trafficking training evidence for housekeeping staff
  • License fee and Hospitality Education Program (HEP) fee
• Florida DOR registration for taxes (sales tax, discretionary sales surtax, and local option transient rental taxes)
• Federal EIN (if forming an LLC/corporation/partnership)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Certificate of internal inspection (as applicable locally)
• County tax registration (e.g., local business tax receipt where applicable, and transient rental tax remittance setup)
• Personal identification and proof of property ownership
• Site plan and parking plan (may be requested in local application packages even if not codified locally)
• Proof of fee payment

[Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Lake Butler, Union County, and Florida

City (Lake Butler)

• No city-specific short-term rental registration or licensing is documented in the Lake Butler Land Development Regulations provided. Investors must still comply with the city’s zoning, building, housing, floodplain, and fire codes as applicable. Check the LDR for your parcel’s zoning and any overlay requirements. [Source: Lake Butler LDR]

County (Union County)

• Union County handles local business tax receipts and participates in the state’s local option transient rental tax collection via the DOR. Confirm local business tax receipt requirements with the Union County Tax Collector. County-level occupancy limits, parking or noise restrictions specific to STRs were not provided; verify any county-specific ordinances with the county. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

State (Florida)

• Licensing triggers and classification: Entire-unit rentals for fewer than 30 days (or 1 calendar month), rented more than three times in a calendar year, or held out to the public as regularly rented for such periods, require a DBPR license. Single-room rentals are excluded from the licensing definition of public lodging. DBPR issues single, group, and collective licenses. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]
• Fees (DBPR):
  • New application fee: $50
  • Hospitality Education Program (HEP) fee: $10
  • Full-year license fee: $170 for a single rental unit; $180 for 2–25 units
  • Renewal: same fees structure (half- or full-year license options, depending on application). [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]
• Renewals: License validity is half-year or one-year. Renewal dates vary by DBPR district. Lake Butler is in District 1 (Miami); annual renewals are due October 1. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]
• Taxes:
  • 6% state sales tax (remitted to Florida DOR)
  • Discretionary sales surtax: varies by county (typically 0.5%–1.5%)
  • Local option transient rental tax: up to 6% by county; often remitted through DOR
  • Rental income taxes and property taxes
  • Some taxes may be collected by platforms; confirm registration and remittance details. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]
• Safety and operational standards:
  • Display licenses prominently
  • Maintain units clean, safe, and in good condition
  • Clean and sanitary bedding/linens; properly stored
  • Soap in individually wrapped bars or dispensers
  • Baby cribs must meet safety standards
  • Dishes/glassware sanitized between guests
  • Establishments free of vermin
  • Buildings of 3+ stories require balcony inspection certificate (unless common elements in condominiums)
  • Smoke detectors in every living unit; one specialized detector per 50 units for hearing-impaired guests
  • Electrical system safe; no unauthorized extension cords
  • Compliance with Life Safety Code
  • Automatic fire sprinklers in vacation rental condominiums when majority of rental units are 75+ feet in height [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

Contact Information: Local Authority in Charge of STRs

At the state level:

• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) – Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Vacation Rental Licensing)

  • Phone: 850.487.0595
  • Website: www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/ [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) – Tax Registration and Remittance

  • Website: floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800034.pdf [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

At the county level:

• Union County Tax Collector
  • Phone: 386.496.4246
  • Website: www.unioncountytaxcollector.com/
  • Note: County business tax receipts and transient rental tax matters are handled through county channels and/or the DOR. [Source: Florida Short Term Rental Laws]

At the city level:

• City of Lake Butler (General zoning and building inquiries; STR-specific licensing is not documented in the LDR)
  • Phone: 386.496.4241
  • Email: clerk@cityoflakebutler.com
  • Address: 200 SW 1st Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054
  • Website: cityoflakebutler.com/ [Source: Lake Butler LDR]

Links to Source Pages

• Florida Short Term Rental Laws: www.gosummer.com/post/florida-short-term-rental-laws
• Florida DBPR Vacation Rental Licensing Guide: www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/
• Florida DBPR Lodging Fees: www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/lodging-fees/
• Florida DOR Tax Registration (Form GT-800034): floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800034.pdf
• Florida DOR Discretionary Sales Surtax Information (DR-15DSS): floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/dr15dss.pdf
• Florida DOR Local Option Transient Rental Tax Information (DR-15TDT): floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/dr15tdt.pdf
• City of Lake Butler Land Development Regulations (LDR): cityoflakebutler.com/wp-content/uploads/LDR_LakeButler_20_Canary.pdf
• Union County Tax Collector: www.unioncountytaxcollector.com/

Practical notes for investors:

• Because Lake Butler does not present a separate STR registration regime in the LDRs provided, the heaviest lifting is at the state level (DBPR licensing) and county (business taxes and transient tax setup). Confirm zoning at the property level and verify any HOA/COA restrictions that could limit or prohibit short-term rentals.
• Use the Florida DOR forms and guidance to set up your tax accounts and to confirm Union County’s current discretionary sales surtax and local option transient rental tax rates. If you intend to use a platform to collect guest payments, verify whether that platform remits specific taxes on your behalf and whether additional filings remain your responsibility.
• Keep the unit’s DBPR license posted and maintain a compliance binder with your inspections, training certificates, and insurance documentation to expedite any future inquiries or audits.