DBPR License Application in Florida (2026)

What Is the DBPR License Application?

The DBPR vacation rental license application is the formal request submitted to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants to be authorized as a public lodging establishment under Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes. Once approved, the applicant receives a license number, an expiration date, and a certificate that should be maintained at the property.

The application itself is not long, but every field has implications. Misclassifying a single condo unit as a dwelling, listing the wrong licensee entity, or leaving off a co-owner will either delay approval or cause a rejection notice that resets the clock.

Classify the Property Before You Apply

Florida divides vacation rental licenses into two families. Vacation Rental Dwellings cover single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, and townhomes. Vacation Rental Condominiums cover individual units in a condominium structure. Within each family there are Single, Group (up to 25 same-building units), and Collective (26+ same-building units) variants.

Owners frequently apply for the wrong family. A townhome that is part of a homeowners association is still a dwelling. A condo-hotel unit is still typically a condo. If unsure, the property’s recorded documents and the county property appraiser’s classification are the better source than the listing platform’s wording.

Documents and Information You Will Need

Before opening the application, gather: the property address (legal address, not the marketing label), the licensee name and entity structure, FEIN or SSN for tax linkage, proof of property ownership or authorization to operate, the Florida sales tax certificate number from the Department of Revenue, county Tourist Development Tax account number (where applicable), local business tax receipt details, and contact information for the licensee and a designated representative if different.

Owners using an LLC should have the entity in good standing with the Florida Division of Corporations before applying. Out-of-state LLCs not registered in Florida need to address that first.

Step-by-Step DBPR Application Process

1. Confirm whether you need a Single, Group, or Collective license and whether it is a Dwelling or Condominium type. 2. Open a Florida sales tax account with the Department of Revenue. 3. Open the relevant county Tourist Development Tax account. 4. Register the licensee entity with the Florida Division of Corporations if needed. 5. Gather property documents and identification. 6. Submit the DBPR application via Online Services or by mail with the application fee, license fee, Half-Year Fee where applicable, and Hospitality Education Program fee. 7. Monitor the application status and respond promptly to any deficiency notice. 8. Once approved, post or maintain the certificate at the property and sync your compliance calendar.

Application Fees

The application fee is generally $50, separate from the annual license fee. Annual license fees for a single dwelling or condo typically fall in the $170–$180 range, with Group and Collective tiers reducing per-unit cost for qualifying multi-unit applicants. A Half-Year Fee applies based on when in the licensing year the application is submitted. The Hospitality Education Program adds a small flat fee.

Why DBPR Applications Get Rejected or Delayed

The most common reasons are mismatched classification, missing sales tax certificate number, an LLC that is administratively dissolved, a different name on the property records than on the application, missing payment for the Half-Year Fee, and incomplete contact information. Each is fixable but adds days or weeks.

Applications submitted in the same week as a property purchase frequently stumble because deed recording and entity formation have not caught up. Sequencing matters.

After Approval — What Most Hosts Forget

Approval is not the finish line. Update your platform listings with the license number where required, confirm the city STR permit is in place, link the DBPR number to the county TDT account, and add the renewal date to your compliance calendar. If the property is managed by a third party, share the certificate and the license details in writing.

County and City Differences That Affect the Application

Some cities require their STR permit before they will allow the DBPR license number to be used in advertising; others sequence the opposite way. Walton County, Miami-Dade, Naples, and Anna Maria Island each have layered rules that change the order of operations. Map the sequence before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions