Short-term rentals are allowed in Plantation, Florida. The city explicitly recognizes and permits both hosted owner‑occupied short‑term rentals and non‑hosted vacation rentals. Operation is permitted subject to registration, inspections, insurance, record‑keeping, and ongoing compliance under the City’s Vacation Rental Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2576) and its 2023 updates.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Plantation

Use this step-by-step roadmap to set up compliant operations and reduce approval risk.

1. Verify the property is eligible

• Confirm zoning and neighborhood restrictions that may affect STRs. HOA or condo rules can be stricter than city rules.
• Identify whether your operation will be:
  • Hosted (Owner‑Occupied): You permanently reside at the property and hold a Homestead Exemption for the address.
  • Non-Hosted (Vacation Rental): You do not permanently reside at the property and/or do not hold a Homestead Exemption.

2. Prepare required documents and materials before applying

• Proof of ownership (Broward County Property Appraiser).
• If owned by a business entity, provide ownership information via Sunbiz (Florida Division of Corporations). Out‑of‑state/international entities must register with the State of Florida.
• Notarized letter of authorization from the property owner for non‑hosted rentals if the applicant is not the owner.
• If renting a single room in your homesteaded, owner‑occupied home: the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license is not required; otherwise, DBPR compliance is required.
• Florida sales tax registration (Department of Revenue, DOR). If a hosting platform collects/remits Florida sales tax for you, you must provide evidence to the City (certificate of registration with DOR from your platform and your DOR address registration) in lieu of a direct DOR certificate.
• Broward County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) registration. If a platform collects/remits TDT for you, you must provide evidence (current/active account with the Broward County Tax Collector and proof your address is registered with them).
• Broward County Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
• City of Plantation Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
• Commercial certificate of insurance with the City of Plantation as certificate holder and the required liability coverage.
• Interior sketch: floor plan labeling rooms, closets, and the location of any noise detection device; include an evacuation map.
• Exterior sketch: site plan showing property boundaries, structures, accessory structures (pool/spa/hot tub/fencing), placement of the noise detection device, and off‑street parking spaces. A current survey or aerial photo is acceptable.
• Sample lease agreement reflecting the property address; must contain information required by the Vacation Rental Ordinance. The City provides a sample addendum.
• Completed Affidavit of Compliance (hosted or non‑hosted version).

3. Submit the registration application to the City of Plantation (Planning, Zoning & Economic Development)

• The City reviews for completeness. Incomplete applications are rejected via email, and you have 15 business days to supply missing items; otherwise, the application is denied.
• When the application is deemed complete and fees paid, the City will schedule inspections for non‑hosted rentals.

4. Complete required inspections and correct any violations (primarily for non‑hosted)

• Safety inspections are conducted by Building, Fire, and Planning, Zoning & Economic Development by appointment.
• If violations are found, re‑inspection is required. Failure to provide timely access may result in a $250 re‑inspection fee.
• Owner‑occupied (hosted) rentals do not require a pre‑issuance safety inspection, but are still subject to ongoing ordinance requirements.

5. Obtain Certificate of Compliance and begin operations

• After passing inspections (if applicable) and paying all fees, the City issues the Short‑Term Rental Certificate of Compliance.

6. Manage the business and maintain compliance

• Maintain guest records logs for a minimum of three years (occupant names, dates, primary contact).
• Install and maintain a noise level detection device as required by the City.
• Enforce posted occupancy limits and parking restrictions; prohibit occupants and visitors from parking in front of adjacent properties without owners’ consent.
• Annually renew your Certificate of Compliance by August 31; late renewal penalties apply, and after September 30 your renewal is treated as a new application.

7. Handle taxes and renewals

• Florida sales tax and local taxes are generally collected by the hosting platform. If you collect any taxable amounts directly, ensure your DOR registration and TDT obligations are met.
• Renew your Plantation STR registration and City BTR annually; note any changes to insurance, contact information, or property details must be reported.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The City’s registration package requires a consolidated set of documentation. The core items are:

• Application form and Affidavit of Compliance (hosted or non‑hosted)
• Proof of ownership
• Ownership information (Sunbiz) if a business entity
• Notarized authorization letter for non‑hosted rentals (if applicant is not owner)
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation license (unless renting a single room in your homesteaded, owner‑occupied home)
• Florida Department of Revenue certificate of registration (or platform‑collected registration evidence)
• Broward County Tourist Development Tax registration (or platform‑collected registration evidence)
• Broward County Business Tax Receipt
• City of Plantation Business Tax Receipt
• Commercial certificate of insurance (City as certificate holder) with:
  • Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability
  • Each Occurrence: $1,000,000
  • Policy Aggregate: $2,000,000
  • Personal & Advertising Injury: $1,000,000
• Interior sketch (floor plan, closets, noise detection device location, evacuation map)
• Exterior sketch (site plan with boundaries, structures, accessory structures, noise detection device, off‑street parking)
• Sample lease agreement addendum containing required information
• Guest records log procedure (3‑year retention)

A detailed checklist of required documents is provided by the City.

City, County, and State Regulations

City of Plantation (Local)

• Allowed STR types: Both Hosted Owner‑Occupied and Non‑Hosted Vacation Rentals are allowed subject to registration.
• Registration required: Each vacation rental unit must be separately registered. The City issues a Short‑Term Rental Certificate of Compliance.
• Inspections:
  • Non‑hosted units require initial safety inspection and annual re‑inspections.
  • Owner‑occupied units do not require pre‑issuance inspection but must still meet ordinance standards.
• Insurance:
  • Liability insurance minimums listed above; City must be listed as certificate holder and must receive updated copies.
• Guest records:
  • Maintain guest records for three years; logs must be available for inspection.
• Safety and nuisance controls:
  • Noise level detection device is required.
  • Occupancy limits apply (reduced compared to prior levels; confirm current maximums with the City).
  • Parking restrictions: occupants and visitors may not park in front of adjacent properties without owners’ consent.
• Renewals:
  • Apply for annual Certificate of Compliance renewal by August 31.
  • Late renewal fee applies after August 31.
  • Renewals after September 30 are treated as new applications (additional fees and inspection schedules apply).
• Enforcement:
  • Incomplete applications are rejected and must be remedied within 15 business days.
  • Inspections are conducted by Building, Fire, and Planning, Zoning & Economic Development departments.
  • Failure to provide timely access may incur re‑inspection fees.

Broward County (County level)

• Tourist Development Tax (TDT) applies to short‑term rentals. Registration may be completed online or in person; platforms often collect/remit on behalf of owners. Where platforms collect, owners must provide evidence to the City to satisfy registration evidence requirements.
• Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is required. Applications may be submitted online or at the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division (115 S. Andrews Ave., Room A‑100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301).

State of Florida (State level)

• State law prohibits municipalities from banning vacation rentals; cities can regulate through registration, inspections, and safety standards.
• A vacation rental is a transient public lodging establishment under Florida Statutes Chapter 509 (except timeshare projects regulated under Chapter 721).
• Sales tax obligations:
  • Owners must either hold a Florida sales tax certificate (DOR) or rely on a hosting platform that collects/remits sales tax. Where platforms collect, owners must still be registered with DOR at the property address and provide evidence to the City.
• Licensing:
  • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversight applies, unless renting a single room in your homesteaded, owner‑occupied home (exempt).

Contact Information for Local Authority (STRs)

• Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Department (STR Registration and Ordinance)
  • Phone: 954‑797‑2225
  • City Hall: 400 NW 73rd Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317
  • Phone: 954‑797‑2200
  • Website: City of Plantation – Short‑Term Vacation Rentals
  • Email contact and forms are available via the City’s website
• Police Department (noise/nuisance, emergencies)
  • Non‑life threatening: 954‑797‑2100
  • Emergencies: 911
  • Address: 451 NW 70th Terrace, Plantation, FL 33317
• Fire Department (inspection coordination and safety)
  • Phone: 954‑797‑2150
  • Address: 550 NW 65th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317
• Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division (TDT and BTR)
  • Location: 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room A‑100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Florida Department of Revenue (sales tax registration/certificate)
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Source Links (City Pages)

• City of Plantation – Vacation Rental Registration (Main)
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/planning-zoning/short-term-vacation-rentals
• Registration Process
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/planning-zoning/short-term-vacation-rentals/obtain-a-short-term-vacation-rental-certificate
• Required Documents
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/planning-zoning/short-term-vacation-rentals/short-term-vacation-rental-property-compliance-inspection
• Safety Inspection and Fee Schedule
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/planning-zoning/short-term-vacation-rentals/short-term-vacation-rental-registration-inspection-fee-schedule
• Renewal & Annual Inspection
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/planning-zoning/short-term-vacation-rentals/short-term-vacation-rental-nuisance-complaints
• Register a Complaint
  • www.plantation.org/government/departments/planning-zoning-economic-development/short-term-vacation-rentals/register-a-complaint
• City of Plantation – Short Term Vacation Rentals (Registration link)
  • www.plantation.org/i-want-to/register/short-term-vacation-rentals
• Vacation Rental Ordinance Update (Feb 7, 2023)
  • content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLPLANTATION/bulletins/346b78e

This guide focuses exclusively on Plantation and its county (Broward). If you need to confirm current occupancy caps, specific insurance carrier approval, or detailed inspection checklists, contact the City’s Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Department at 954‑797‑2225 or use the City’s official STR portal and documents listed above.