Airbnb Rules: Miami vs Orlando (2026 Comparison)
Compare short-term rental regulations between Miami and Orlando, Florida. Both require a Florida DBPR license, but local rules and tourist tax rates differ significantly.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Miami vs Orlando
| MiamiFlorida | OrlandoFlorida | |
|---|---|---|
| STR Allowed? | Yes, with Florida DBPR license + Miami-Dade registration | Yes, with Florida DBPR license + Orange County/City Business Tax Receipt |
| State License Required? | Yes — Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License | Yes — Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License |
| Local Registration | Miami-Dade County Vacation Rental License ($150–$300/year) | Orange County or City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt ($150–$300/year) |
| Registration Fee (Combined) | $150–$300 county + state fees | $150–$300 county/city + state fees |
| Primary Residence Required? | Not required by state law; Miami-Dade zone restrictions may apply | Not required by state law |
| Day Limits? | No statewide day limit; Miami pre-2011 grandfathered restrictions in some zones | No statewide day limit; Orange County tourist corridor rules apply near theme parks |
| Tourist Development Tax | 13% Miami-Dade Tourist Development Tax | 6% Orange County Tourist Development Tax |
| State Sales Tax | 7% Florida state sales tax | 7% Florida state sales tax |
| Platform Tax Collection? | Airbnb collects and remits Miami-Dade TDT and FL state sales tax | Airbnb collects and remits Orange County TDT and FL state sales tax |
| Operating Without License Fine | Up to $1,000/day (Florida DBPR) | Florida DBPR fines up to $1,000/day |
Key Differences
Miami and Orlando share the same Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) state licensing framework for short-term rentals, but their local contexts are dramatically different. Miami is a cosmopolitan coastal city where STR demand is driven by beaches, nightlife, and international tourism. Orlando is dominated by the Walt Disney World and Universal Studios theme park corridor, creating one of the highest-volume STR markets in the United States. Tax burden is a significant difference. Miami imposes Miami-Dade's 13% Tourist Development Tax on top of Florida's 7% state sales tax — a combined 20% tax on rental income before any income taxes. Orlando (Orange County) charges only 6% Tourist Development Tax plus 7% state sales tax — a 13% combined rate. For a host averaging $200/night, Miami's higher tax rate costs an extra $14 per night in taxes compared to Orlando. Miami's STR regulatory history is complex. Miami enacted a 2011 ordinance restricting STRs in some residential zones. Properties that were operating as STRs before that ordinance were grandfathered — newer properties in certain residential zones may face restrictions. Florida's CS/SB 714 (2024) has complicated local STR preemption, but Miami's pre-2011 restrictions have been partly preserved. Orlando's key distinction is geographic complexity: much of what people call 'Orlando' — including resort areas near Disney World and Universal — is actually Orange County jurisdiction, not City of Orlando. Different rules and tax receipts apply depending on whether your property is within city limits or in unincorporated Orange County.
Cost Comparison
For an STR host earning $200/night average: in Miami, combined TDT + state sales tax equals $40/night (20%), while in Orlando it's $26/night (13%). Over a 150-night annual rental period, Miami's tax burden is $6,000 vs Orlando's $3,900 — a $2,100 annual difference. Both platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit these taxes automatically so hosts don't handle the payments, but they reduce net income. Miami's higher nightly rates for beach properties can offset this tax disadvantage.
Our Verdict
Orlando is the more straightforward STR market operationally, with lower tax rates and the massive captive demand of theme park tourism providing year-round occupancy. Miami offers potentially higher nightly rates and shorter, denser stays from beach and nightlife tourism, but the higher tax burden (20% vs 13%) and Miami's complex pre-2011 residential zone restrictions add friction. For investors, Orlando's theme park corridor properties near Disney or Universal can offer superior occupancy rates and returns despite lower nightly rates. Miami is better for premium beach properties targeting affluent international visitors.
Explore Each City
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Miami and Orlando require the same Airbnb license?
Both require a Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) Vacation Rental License at the state level. Additionally, Miami-Dade County requires county registration, while properties in the Orlando area need Orange County or City of Orlando Business Tax Receipts, depending on whether they're in city limits or unincorporated county.
Why is the tax rate higher in Miami than Orlando for Airbnb?
Miami-Dade County charges a 13% Tourist Development Tax, while Orange County (Orlando) charges 6%. Both cities also add Florida's 7% state sales tax. Miami's combined STR tax rate is 20% vs Orlando's 13%. Both Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit these taxes automatically.
Are there day limits for Airbnb rentals in Miami or Orlando?
Florida does not have a statewide day limit for STRs. Miami restricts STRs in some residential zones under pre-2011 ordinances (grandfathered status matters). Orlando and Orange County do not have day limits, though the International Drive tourist corridor has specific provisions for resort area properties.
If my property is in the 'Orlando area' near Disney World, which rules apply?
Most resort properties near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are actually in Orange County jurisdiction, not City of Orlando. Orange County has its own Business Tax Receipt and Tourist Development Tax rules. Verify your property's exact jurisdiction — being 'in Orlando' does not mean you're under City of Orlando regulations.
Source: PropertyZoned Editorial Research. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source