If you’re interested in investing in a short-term rental property, then one of the first steps that you should take is to research the laws and regulations that might affect your short-term rental in the market that you want to invest in.
For this reason, I have compiled for you a list of Airbnb regulations by city for the cities that, based on Mashvisor’s data, are among the top cities for investing in real estate in the US housing market 2018. Additionally, use an Airbnb calculator to estimate the potential rental income from Airbnb properties.
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Disclaimer: this list of Airbnb regulations by city contains laws and regulations that can affect the performance of your short-term rentals, and the info provided was taken directly from Airbnb’s official website. I will be sharing a link to each city’s laws and regulations page on Airbnb’s website.
This is part 2/3 of a series of Airbnb regulations by city which will include the following cities: Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, San Diego, CA, Orlando, FL, Kissimmee, FL, Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix, AZ, and Palm Springs, CA.
Airbnb Regulations by City: Orlando, FL
These laws & regulations are derived directly from Airbnb’s help center for the city of Orlando, FL:
- The Land Development Code. Chapters 58 to 68 of the Orlando City Code, the Land Development Code, governs most land use in Orlando. You should consult this to see if your listing is consistent with any zoning requirements or use definitions. Important terms include “apartment,” “accessory apartment,” “dwelling,” “bed and breakfast facility,” “commercial dwelling unit,” “commercial use,” “dwelling,” “dwelling unit,” “group housing,” “hotel,” “motel,” “residential use,” and “short-term rental.”
- Building and Housing Standards. Orlando has rules and regulations specifying minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including regulations on habitability, health, and safety. Some regulations applicable to residential and non-residential uses may be relevant to your listing, including the Building Code (Chapter 13 of the Orlando City Code) and the Minimum Standards Code (Chapter 30A). You can access the Orlando City Code here.
- Business Registration. If you operate a business in Orlando, you must obtain a business license from the City. Please review Chapter 36 of the Orlando City Code to determine if these rules apply to your listing. More information on the registration process can be found here.
- Taxes. Orange County assesses tourist development taxes within the City of Orlando on hotels, inns, tourist homes or houses, and other short-term rentals. A “short-term rental” is defined as a guest stay of 6 months or less. The State of Florida also assesses a sales tax on guest stays of 6 months or less. More information can be found at the State’s FAQ page.
- Other Rules. It’s also important to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable.
Related: These Are the Best Cities for Airbnb Investment 2018
Airbnb Regulations by City: Kissimmee, FL
These laws & regulations are derived directly from Airbnb’s help center for the city of Kissimmee, FL:
- The Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Title 14 of the Kissimmee Code of Ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Ordinance, regulates uses in Kissimmee. You should consult the Planning and Zoning Ordinance to see if your listing is consistent with any zoning requirements or use definitions. Important terms include accessory dwelling unit; bed and breakfast facility; dwelling; dwelling unit; motel or hotel; short-term rental; and timeshare dwelling. In particular, you should review the requirements for short-term residential rentals found in Section 14-2-64 and 14-2-206 of the Code of Ordinances.
- Conditional Use Permit May Be Required. Kissimmee requires many operators of short-term rentals to apply for and obtain a conditional use permit from the City. Please review Sections 14-2-44; 14-2-51; 14-2-64; and 14-2-206 of the Code of Ordinances to see if you need a permit, or contact the Planning and Zoning Division or the Code Enforcement Division directly.
- Short-Term Rental Business Tax Receipt. Hosts will also need to apply for and obtain a business tax receipt specific to short-term rentals. Please review the City’s website to find out how to obtain the receipt. You can access the application here. The City will review the request for compliance with city rules and regulations, and may not accept the application if the listing is not consistent with zoning requirements.
- Building and Housing Standards. Kissimmee enforces rules and regulations specifying minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including regulations on habitability, health, and safety. Certain rules and regulations applicable to residential and non-residential regulations may be relevant to your listing. Please review the Florida Building Codes or contact the Building Division for more information.
- Tourist Development Tax. Osceola County assesses tourist development taxes on hotels, inns, tourist homes or houses, and other short-term rentals. A “short-term rental” is defined as a guest stay of less than 6 months. More information about the tourist development tax is available at the County’s website. The State of Florida also assesses a sales tax on guest stays of less than 6 months. More information can be found at the State’s FAQ page.
- Other Rules. It’s also important to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Airbnb Investment Property
Airbnb Regulations by City: Las Vegas, NV
These laws & regulations are derived directly from Airbnb’s help center for the city of Las Vegas, NV:
- The Zoning Code. Title 19 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code, the Zoning Code, regulates uses in Las Vegas neighborhoods. You should consult the Zoning Code to see if your listing is consistent with any zoning requirements or use definitions. Important terms include accessory structure; apartment; bed and breakfast inn; boarding or rooming house; dwelling; dwelling unit; hotel, motel, or hotel suites; residence hotel; and short-term residential rentals. In particular, you should review the requirements for bed and breakfast and short-term residential rental uses, found in Chapter 19.04, Table 2.
- Short-Term Residential Rental Permit Requirement. Las Vegas requires all operators of short-term vacation rentals to register with the City and obtain a permit from the Business Licensing Division of the Planning Department. Listings must comply with Las Vegas’s noise regulations and parking requirements, among other conditions, and have a valid Nevada state business license. A copy of the permit application can be found here. For more information, you should contact the Business Licensing Division.
- Business License. Las Vegas also requires operators to apply for and obtain a business license. You can apply here. The city’s Business Licensing Division maintains a helpful website with useful information about the business license process, including contact information.
- Building and Construction Codes. The Building and Construction Codes, Title 16 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code, specify minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including regulations on habitability, health, and safety. Certain regulations applicable to residential and non-residential uses may be relevant to your listing. You should consult these codes to see if your listing implicates any of their requirements, or contact the Building and Safety Department directly.
- Transient Lodging Tax. The City of Las Vegas and Cook County may assess transient lodging taxes on hotels, inns, vacation homes or houses, and other short-term rentals. A “short-term rental” is defined as a guest stay of 30 days or less. More information about the transient lodging tax is available at the County’s website and in the City’s municipal code (Chapter 6.46).
- Other Rules. It’s also important to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable.
Continue Reading Airbnb Regulations by City:
- Airbnb Regulations by City Part 1 – Austin, Nashville, and San Diego
- Airbnb Regulations by City Part 3 – Phoenix and Palm Springs
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