Investment Property Loans in Hollywood, FL

Every Hollywood dwelling unit rented to guests more than three times a year for stays under 30 days needs its own vacation rental license, counting each unit of a duplex, triplex or fourplex separately.

For investors: A fourplex run entirely as short stays means four applications, four inspections and four renewals. Applications are accepted online only with a notarized owner certification, and the city says daily fines for an unregistered unit can become a code lien on the property.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental License Program FAQs, Oct 2026

Hollywood's fee schedule adopted October 1, 2026 charges $850 to apply for and $600 to renew a vacation rental license that is not owner-occupied, plus $400 for a first inspection up to 1,500 square feet.

For investors: Bigger homes add 15 cents a square foot to that first inspection, and each yearly renewal inspection costs $300 per unit, or $150 for a condo. A late renewal adds $100, and running without a city license carries a $350 penalty plus possible daily fines of up to $5,000.

Source: City of Hollywood, Comprehensive Schedule of Fees (Resolution R-2026-308, adopted October 1, 2026), Vacation Rental License, Oct 2026

Hollywood allows two overnight guests per bedroom and daytime occupancy of one and a half times that number, with up to four children aged four or younger not counted.

For investors: By the city's own example, a three-bedroom house sleeps six and may hold nine during the day. The inspection checklist counts a bedroom only with 70 square feet of conditioned space, a built-in closet and an emergency escape opening, so measure a small third bedroom first.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental License Program FAQs, Oct 2026

Each licensed Hollywood vacation rental must run a noise-level detection device that alerts the owner and guests, keep its readings for 180 days for city review, and post notice that the property is monitored.

For investors: Hollywood's noise rules cap residential sound at 55 decibels at the property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., against 65 in daytime, and the device log is the record the city can request after a complaint. Route its alerts to whoever answers at night.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental License, Oct 2026

Complaints about a licensed Hollywood vacation rental go to a 24-hour hotline, and the registered owner or manager is notified at once and given 30 minutes to resolve most issues.

For investors: The city reports just under 700 licensed rentals and believes thousands more run without a license, and its monitoring service lets staff track listings on rental platforms. Buying an unlicensed operation in Hollywood is an enforcement risk, not a quiet workaround.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental Inspection Program, Oct 2026

Hollywood requires each vacation rental to have a local representative reachable by phone around the clock who can appear at the property within one hour of being contacted.

For investors: An owner living outside Broward will usually need a local manager to meet the one-hour rule. When someone other than the owner applies, the owner must file a letter naming that representative, with business name, address, email and phone.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental Requirement Documentation (application checklist), Oct 2026

Hollywood asks vacation rental applicants for city and Broward business tax receipts and an active Broward Tax Collector account for the county's 6% tourist tax, unless the home is listed only on Airbnb or Vrbo.

For investors: Broward collects that tax itself rather than through the state, so a host who takes direct or other bookings files with the county and separately with the Department of Revenue for sales tax. Open both accounts before applying, since incomplete applications are returned.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental Requirement Documentation (application checklist); Florida Department of Revenue, DR-15TDT (rev. 10/26) for the 6% county-collected rate, Oct 2026

Hollywood's vacation rental application must include a certificate of liability insurance covering injury or harm to occupants and other invitees, acknowledging that the coverage stays in force whenever the home is rented.

For investors: Ask the carrier for coverage written for short-term rental use before applying, since the certificate must show guest liability. The city also requires the state lodging license number and the city license number on every listing that advertises the property.

Source: City of Hollywood, Vacation Rental Requirement Documentation (application checklist), Oct 2026

Hollywood has held Class 6 in FEMA's Community Rating System since May 2012 and keeps it on the October 2026 list, worth 20% off qualifying flood insurance premiums in the city.

For investors: Neighboring Dania Beach and Pembroke Pines rate one class better at 25%, while unincorporated Broward matches Hollywood. Check that any flood quote on a Hollywood rental applies the community credit before comparing it with a private policy.

Source: FEMA, CRS Eligible Communities list (effective October 1, 2026), Oct 2026

Hollywood treats each rented single-family home, townhome, condo or duplex building as a separate business that needs its own local business tax receipt under Chapter 110 of the city code.

For investors: The fee schedule adopted October 1, 2026 sets the lodging tax at $64 a year for one to five living units, so the cost is small. Receipts run October 1 to September 30, and the city mails a renewal notice needed to pay online.

Source: City of Hollywood, Residential Rental Properties, Oct 2026

Hollywood requires a Certificate of Use, which confirms the zoning allows the use, for residential lodging with two or more units, on top of the local business tax receipt.

For investors: A duplex or small apartment building bought in Hollywood needs this certificate in addition to the tax receipt. Renew the receipt by September 30, since the city adds 10% after that date, rising monthly to 25% after December 31, plus $250 after January 31.

Source: City of Hollywood, Local Business Tax; Renew Local Business Tax (hollywoodfl.org/496), Oct 2026

Hollywood's seawall ordinance O-2022-01, adopted February 2, 2022, created section 150.30, setting construction standards for seawalls and tidal flood barriers that allow for projected sea level rise, consistent with Broward County's model.

For investors: Voters approved a 2019 general obligation bond that pays for city tidal flooding and seawall projects in phases. On a canal or Intracoastal rental, have the private wall inspected before closing, since wall work is now judged against the 2022 standards.

Source: City of Hollywood, Sea Walls & Flood Barriers, Feb 2022