How to get a short-term rental permit in Davenport, FL (2026)
Davenport requires Vacation Rental – Dwelling License (Florida DBPR); no city-level STR permit exists — the fee is $220, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Vacation Rental – Dwelling License (Florida DBPR); no city-level STR permit exists |
| Permit fee | $220 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Table 3.07.00(A) of Davenport's Unified Land Development Regulations lists 'Short Term Rentals (Vacation Rentals)' as PC (Permitted with Conditions) in every residential zoning district — AG, TN-1, TN-2, RE-1, RE-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MF, MH-1, and MH-2. The only 'condition' is Section 4.03.19, which states in full that short-term rental units are allowed per State of Florida statutes. In practice STRs are allowed by right citywide, subject to state licensing; no overlay districts or STR-specific zoning restrictions exist. HOA/deed restrictions in Davenport's many resort communities can be stricter than city zoning.
- 2
Apply for the Vacation Rental – Dwelling License (Florida DBPR); no city-level STR permit exists
Submit the Vacation Rental – Dwelling License (Florida DBPR); no city-level STR permit exists application to Davenport and pay the $220 fee. No City of Davenport STR permit or fee exists. The required permit is the state DBPR Vacation Rental license: $50 application fee + $170 full-year license fee for a single-unit dwelling (fee schedule also lists a $90 half-year option and a $10 Hospitality Education Program fee that is not prorated) ≈ $220 first year, then annual renewal. Group and collective license fees scale with unit count. Separately, Polk County requires a Class B county Local Business Tax Receipt for each short-term rental location (county fee not verified), and the City of Davenport requires a general city Business Tax Receipt for businesses operating inside city limits (amount not published online).
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Davenport. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Davenport changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Davenport for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Davenport before applying.