Short‑Term Rental Basics in St. Cloud and Osceola

Thinking about turning a St. Cloud property into a short-term rental? You’re not alone. With travelers exploring beyond the theme-park corridor, more owners are testing the waters in Osceola County. This guide gives you the essentials on where STRs are allowed, what licenses and taxes you need, and what revenue looks like locally so you can move forward with confidence. Let’s dive in.

What Florida counts as a short-term rental

A vacation rental in Florida is a home, condo, or similar dwelling that you offer to guests for short stays, typically under 30 days. If you rent the entire unit more than three times in a year for fewer than 30 days, you likely need a state license from the Division of Hotels & Restaurants. Hosted or shared-room setups can be treated differently, so check the state guidance.

For definitions and license steps, review the state’s vacation rental guide from the Division of Hotels & Restaurants at MyFloridaLicense.

Where STRs are allowed in St. Cloud and Osceola

Unincorporated Osceola County

Osceola uses special STR overlay areas and an STR Planned Development district. Not every parcel is eligible. Verify eligibility early using the county’s permit and zoning resources and speak with planning staff before you buy or list. Start with the county’s Permit Applications page.

If your property qualifies, the county’s typical path is to confirm zoning, secure any required DBPR license, then obtain the county Local Business Tax Receipt through the Tax Collector.

Inside the City of St. Cloud

If the home sits inside St. Cloud city limits, you must obtain a Landlord Local Business Tax Receipt. The city may also apply zoning limits and inspections as part of issuance or renewal. Review the city’s requirements on the Landlord BTR page, and contact Planning or Code Enforcement with any property-specific questions.

Taxes you must collect and remit

Short-term rentals are subject to state and local lodging taxes. Plan for the following:

• State sales and use tax: Florida charges a 6% sales tax on transient rentals. See Chapter 212 of the Florida Statutes.
• Tourist Development Tax: Osceola County imposes a Tourist Development Tax of 6% on stays under 180 days. Details are on the Tax Collector’s TDT page.
• Discretionary county surtax: Osceola also applies a discretionary sales surtax, commonly 1.5%. Check current rates on the Department of Revenue’s surtax rates table.

Altogether, many hosts quote an effective tax burden around 13.5% on nightly charges. Always confirm your exact rate and what fees are taxable with the Florida Department of Revenue and the Osceola Tax Collector.

Some platforms collect certain taxes on your behalf in specific areas. Even if a platform helps, you are still responsible for proper registration and reporting. Review platform policy in Airbnb’s tax collection article and verify with local tax offices.

Step-by-step licensing checklist

Use this quick path to stay organized:

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Check if your parcel sits in an Osceola STR overlay or STRPD, or inside St. Cloud city limits. Start with the county’s Permit Applications page.
• Ask Planning to confirm whether STR use is allowed for your address.

2. Review private rules

• Confirm any HOA or condo rules. Private covenants can prohibit STRs even when public rules allow them.

3. Secure required licenses and tax accounts

• If your rental meets the state definition, apply for a DBPR vacation rental license via MyFloridaLicense.
• Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales and use tax. See DOR’s overview of sales tax.
• Open a Tourist Development Tax account and obtain any Local Business Tax Receipt through the Osceola County Tax Collector. Start at the Local Business Tax Receipt page.
• If the property is inside St. Cloud, apply for the city’s Landlord BTR on the Landlord BTR page.

4. Prepare safety and operations documents

• Create a floor plan that shows smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms where applicable, and fire extinguishers.
• Post emergency contacts and house rules in a visible location.
• Line up proof of liability insurance. Many programs look for coverage around $1,000,000.

5. Set up accounting and guest support

• Configure your booking platform to collect taxes where allowed, then reconcile to your DOR and TDT filings.
• Designate a local 24/7 contact who can respond to complaints or emergencies.

Safety, occupancy, and neighbor standards

Expect limits on maximum overnight guests, rules for noise and parking, and requirements for trash and recycling pickup. You may be asked to keep a guest register and list a local contact number for complaints. Safety items like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are standard, and inspections or documentation are often part of licensing. For county process details, use the Osceola Permit Applications page.

What the St. Cloud STR market looks like

St. Cloud is a smaller, secondary STR market compared with the Orlando and Kissimmee tourist corridors. According to AirDNA’s MarketMinder snapshot, there are about 221 active listings, with an average daily rate near $144.90 and occupancy around 43%. That points to modest revenue relative to properties closer to major attractions. Review current figures on AirDNA’s St. Cloud overview and compare property-level comps before you buy.

Fees and timing to expect

State DBPR licensing typically takes several weeks, depending on application completeness and any inspection needs. Osceola County and the City of St. Cloud assess local inspection and licensing fees that can change, so use official pages for current schedules. Inside city limits, landlord business tax receipts generally renew annually on or around September 30; see St. Cloud’s Local Business Taxes page for renewal timing and forms.

Local, bilingual help when you need it

Getting an STR right in St. Cloud takes careful due diligence, clear budgeting, and the right local contacts. If you want a one-stop advisor to help you evaluate a property, coordinate the purchase, and connect with the right offices, reach out to Kriselys Tapia for bilingual, full-service support.

FAQs

Do you automatically get to run an Airbnb in St. Cloud?

• No, you must confirm zoning, secure any required DBPR license, obtain the county and city business tax receipts where applicable, and verify HOA rules before listing.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Osceola County?

• Most bookings are subject to 6% state sales tax, a county discretionary surtax that is commonly 1.5%, and a 6% Tourist Development Tax, though you should confirm current rates with DOR and the Tax Collector.

Does a hosting platform handle all my taxes for me?

• Sometimes platforms collect certain taxes in specific locations, but you remain responsible for registration and correct remittance unless the platform explicitly handles all taxes for your property.

Do hosted room rentals need a DBPR license in Florida?

• The rules can differ for hosted or shared-room situations, so review the state’s guidance and apply if your use meets the vacation rental definition.

What happens if I operate without the required licenses?

• You risk fines, license denial or revocation, and other enforcement actions from county or city code compliance.

When do St. Cloud landlord business tax receipts renew?

• The city typically renews landlord business tax receipts annually near September 30, and you can confirm timing on the city’s Local Business Taxes page.