Short-term rentals
Orlando's home-sharing ordinance, in effect since July 1, 2018, requires the host to live on site and be present, and registration costs $275 the first year, then $100 or $125 yearly.
For investors: Renewal is $100 when the owner lives there and $125 when the property is not owner occupied, but the registrant must still live on site and show two proofs of residence. An Orlando investor cannot use home sharing to run a vacant house.
Source: City of Orlando, Home Sharing Registration, Oct 2026
Orlando home sharing covers at most half of a dwelling, one booking at a time, with the lesser of four unrelated guests or two per room, so a three-bedroom house can list one bedroom.
For investors: For a house hacker the duplex rule is the opening: half of a duplex can be home-shared when both units sit on one lot under one ownership, so an owner living in one side may host guests in the other with registration.
Source: City of Orlando, Home Sharing Registration, Oct 2026
A whole-property short-term rental in Orlando is a separate use limited to certain zoning districts and needing a business tax receipt; the city notes only about 4% of Orange County is zoned for short-term rentals.
For investors: County tax registration does not mean the zoning allows guests. Search the address on Orlando's zoning portal before paying a price based on nightly revenue, because outside the eligible districts the realistic plan is a long-term lease or partial home sharing.
Source: City of Orlando, Home Sharing Registration FAQ, Oct 2026
Orange County's 6% tourist development tax, in place since September 1, 2006, is administered by the County Comptroller; Orlando hosts remit it monthly, due the 1st and delinquent if not postmarked by the 20th.
For investors: Hiring a manager does not shift the risk: the Comptroller holds the owner responsible if the manager fails to pay. Keep guest folios, leases and ledgers for three years within Orange County, since those are the records an audit asks to see.
Source: Orange County Comptroller, Finance FAQ: Tourist Development Tax, Oct 2026