Offering a property for short stays involves several factors to consider. This includes what the city allows, whether the state requires a lodging license, which taxes apply, and what your association, lease, or other documents say. Each is answered by a different authority.
This Guestable guide explains Sunrise, FL short-term rental regulations and where to verify each requirement. That way, you’ll know what applies to your property before you invest in it, list it, or accept a booking.
Rules differ across Broward County municipalities, so don’t assume Sunrise works like Davie or any other city. If you are still comparing markets, our roundup of the best cities in Florida is a useful companion read.
This article is for general information only and isn’t legal, tax, or financial advice. Requirements change and vary by property, so confirm current details with the City of Sunrise, Florida DBPR, the Florida Department of Revenue, and Broward County. Guestable doesn’t guarantee eligibility for short-term rental use.
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Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Sunrise, Florida?
For short term rentals in Sunrise, FL, the answer depends on the property, the rental arrangement, and the current rules.
The City states the following:
- The City’s ordinances are published online through Municode. The City of Sunrise Codes & Ordinances page explains that Municode organizes the ordinances into a searchable code and updates it quarterly.
- Businesses operating in Sunrise need a business tax receipt: The City’s Business Tax Receipts page says owners must apply before conducting business.
- Short-term rental requirements should be confirmed with the City: Before you list, ask whether your rental needs a business tax receipt, a registration, or any other local approval.
State law also limits how local governments can regulate vacation rentals. Under section 509.032 of the Florida Statutes, local laws generally may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate how long or how frequently they are rented. This restriction does not apply to local laws, ordinances, or regulations adopted on or before June 1, 2011.
However, local governments may still regulate certain aspects of vacation rentals and inspect properties for compliance with the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code. Because state law does not establish whether every property is eligible for short-term rental use, owners should also check applicable local regulations and property-specific restrictions before listing their rental.
General municipal rules alone don’t show that a specific rental is allowed or prohibited. For a wider county view, see our guide to short term rental regulations in Broward County.
How to Check Whether Your Sunrise Property Can Be Used as a Short-Term Rental
No single application pathway applies to every property, so treat this as a verification process rather than a fixed checklist.
Review the City’s Current Ordinances
Start with the Sunrise Code of Ordinances on Municode. Search it for terms like “rental,” “lodging,” “transient,” “vacation,” and “business tax receipt,” then read the rules that apply to your property type and zoning district, including any operating conditions or enforcement provisions.
If the code doesn’t clearly answer your question, contact the relevant City department, describe your property and rental plan, and ask for written guidance.
Confirm Property-Specific Restrictions
City approval doesn’t cover every restriction on your property. Depending on your situation, you may also need to review:
- Condominium association declarations and rules
- Homeowners association covenants or rental restrictions
- Your lease, if you rent the property rather than own and occupy it
- Mortgage, insurance, or other contractual conditions
Clarify Which Local Approvals Apply
Ask the City whether your rental needs a business tax receipt, permit, registration, or any other local approval. The City’s Business Tax Receipt office is a good place to start. Application steps, fees, and timelines can change, so the City’s current guidance is the best source for those details.
Does Florida Require a License for Short-Term Rentals?
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licenses public lodging in Florida. Certain vacation rentals and other transient public lodging establishments may need a state license.
Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes generally defines a transient public lodging establishment as a unit rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month. This definition also applies to units advertised as being regularly rented to guests.
DBPR’s vacation rental licensing guide lists condominium and dwelling classifications and states that renting a single room, rather than the whole unit, isn’t classified as public lodging. Because requirements depend on your arrangement, confirm your category and the current rules with the DBPR.
Licensing, local approval, and taxes are three separate requirements. Meeting one doesn’t mean you’ve met the others:
| Question | Who decides | What it covers | What it doesn’t tell you |
| Is the rental use allowed here? | City of Sunrise, plus any association or lease terms | Zoning, land use, local business requirements, property documents | Whether you need a state license or owe taxes |
| Do I need a state lodging license? | Florida DBPR | Licensing of vacation rentals and transient public lodging | Whether the City or your association permits the use |
| What taxes apply? | Florida Department of Revenue and Broward County | State sales tax and surtax on transient rentals, county Tourist Development Tax | Whether the rental is permitted or licensed |
What Taxes Apply to Short-Term Rentals in Sunrise?
You may owe taxes even while you’re still sorting out local approval and licensing, so review them early.
Florida Sales Tax and State Tax Requirements
The Florida department of revenue says state sales tax applies to rentals of short-term living accommodations. This includes vacation houses and condominiums. It also states that county discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals is reported and remitted to the Department. Confirm with the Department which taxes apply to your arrangement and whether you must register.
Don’t assume a booking platform collects and remits everything you owe. Platforms handle taxes differently, so verify which obligations, if any, remain yours.
Broward County Tourist Development Tax
Broward County’s published guidance identifies a 6% (as of this writing) Tourist Development Tax on accommodations rented for six months or less. This includes condominiums and single-family homes.
The person collecting the rental payment collects the tax and remits it to the County’s Tourist Development Tax Section, and rental records are subject to audit. The County also notes that registrants may be required to obtain a Broward County Local Business Tax Receipt.
Registration, Filing, and Recordkeeping
Broward assigns a filing frequency when you register for the County tax and notes that penalties apply to delinquent tax. Schedules vary by tax and account, so follow each agency’s current instructions. Keep records of bookings, rental income, taxes collected and remitted, and relevant agreements.
Property Safety and Ongoing Rental Responsibilities
Even after securing the necessary approvals, owners must maintain safe conditions and manage day-to-day guest needs throughout each stay.
- Keep the property safe and in good working order, with exits and essential safety features accessible and maintained.
- Respond promptly to guest messages and maintenance requests.
- Set clear expectations on parking, trash collection, and noise.
Some of these may also be legal requirements for your property, and DBPR. Your association and insurer may add others as well. Ask the relevant authority whether additional safety or inspection requirements apply.
To help maintain these standards between stays, our Airbnb cleaning checklist is a practical starting point. For owners who live out of town, virtual property management can also provide remote support with maintenance coordination and guest communication.
Can You List a Property on Airbnb in Sunrise, FL?
Booking platforms accept listings under their own policies, which isn’t the same as legal approval. A live listing on Airbnb or any other site doesn’t show that your rental meets city rules, state licensing, tax requirements, or association restrictions.
Before you advertise, confirm each of the following:
| Check | Where to verify |
| Is the rental use permitted at this address? | Sunrise Code of Ordinances and the City’s departments |
| Do local approvals or business requirements apply? | City of Sunrise Business Tax Office |
| Does state lodging licensing apply? | Florida DBPR |
| Do state and county tax obligations apply? | Florida Department of Revenue and Broward County |
| Do association rules, lease terms, or other documents restrict rentals? | Your declaration, covenants, lease, mortgage, and insurance documents |
If you decide to list, Airbnb management in Sunrise can handle the day-to-day work of running the listing.
Short-Term vs. Mid-Term and Furnished Rental Options
Rental duration, furnishing, guest arrangements, and management needs are four separate decisions. A furnished property can be offered under different arrangements, and an unfurnished home can be rented for a short stay. Furnishing alone doesn’t determine legal eligibility for short-term rental use, and it doesn’t make a rental long-term.
If you’re planning short term furnished rentals in Sunrise, FL, treat furnishing as a preparation question (what guests need to stay comfortably) and rental duration as a separate compliance question.
Owners considering mid-term or traditional longer-term arrangements should check the rules for the duration and use they intend. Changing the advertised stay length doesn’t automatically remove licensing, tax, or local obligations. The County states that longer stays may be exempt only when supported by bona fide written long-term leases.
Guestable supports different strategies depending on the property and the owner’s goals, including short-term rental management and mid-term rental management.
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How Property Management Can Support Sunrise Rental Owners
Once you’ve confirmed what applies, the day-to-day work begins. Property management services can help with:
- Guest communication and reservations
- Property upkeep and maintenance coordination
- Pricing and revenue decisions, through property revenue management
- Preparing the property and understanding the steps involved in launching a rental
- Supporting your chosen rental strategy, where it suits the property
Owners with properties elsewhere in the county can also explore our vacation rental management in Broward County.
Occupancy, income, approval, and compliance can’t be guaranteed, and a manager doesn’t remove the owner’s own legal and tax responsibilities.
Conclusion: Verify the Rules Before Hosting in Sunrise
zxBefore you host, confirm local eligibility, determine whether state lodging licensing applies. Address your state and county tax obligations, and review any restrictions tied to your property.
If you move forward, a management partner such as Guestable can help with listing optimization, pricing, guest communication, and maintenance coordination. Meanwhile, approvals, licenses, and taxes remain your responsibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your property and rental arrangement. Check the City's current ordinances for how the rules apply to your address, along with any association or lease restrictions.
Confirm local approvals through current City guidance. The City doesn’t have a dedicated vacation rental registration program, but it does require business tax receipts for businesses operating in Sunrise.
Certain vacation rentals and transient public lodging establishments may require a DBPR license, depending on the property and arrangement.
Qualifying accommodations rented for six months or less may be subject to the County's current 6% tax. See the County's official guidance for applicability, registration, and filing.
Only after you've confirmed local rules, state licensing, taxes, and property-specific restrictions. A platform accepting your listing doesn't confirm any of them.
Furnishing and rental duration are separate. Verify the rules for your intended arrangement rather than assuming a furnished rental is exempt from short-term rental requirements.
Start with the City's Codes & Ordinances page and the searchable Sunrise Code of Ordinances. The City Clerk's Office can also answer questions about pending revisions.