The Orlando area is really two very different markets. Inside the City of Orlando, short-term rentals are tightly limited. Just south, unincorporated Osceola County around Kissimmee, Davenport and ChampionsGate has whole resort communities built for vacation homes with private pools and themed bedrooms. Where your property sits decides what you can do and who you report taxes to.
Florida requires most vacation rentals to hold a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and to collect the state's 6% sales tax plus any county surtax.
The City of Orlando, as of 2026, allows home sharing only when the owner lives there full time and is present during guest stays, which effectively rules out investor-owned whole-home rentals inside city limits. Unincorporated Orange County has its own zoning rules, so check before you buy.
In unincorporated Osceola County, short-term rentals are allowed only where zoning permits them, such as the Short Term Rental Planned Development (STRPD) district and the county's short-term rental overlay. The county's steps are: confirm zoning on the overlay map, get a DBPR license and register for a Local Business Tax Receipt with the Osceola County Tax Collector. HOAs and planned developments can add their own limits.
Both counties charge a 6% tourist development tax. Osceola County states it is not contracted with Airbnb, Vrbo or other platforms, so owners must collect and remit its 6% tax themselves. Orange County has collection arrangements with major platforms for bookings made through them, but you are still responsible for direct bookings.
One Kissimmee cleaning company, Braza Cleaning, publishes 2026 standard turnover ranges of about $145 to $205 for a three-bedroom and $155 to $225 for a four-bedroom, with deep cleans and larger homes costing more. Treat those as one company's prices, not a market average. Private pools, game rooms and home theaters push the price up, and resort communities such as Reunion, ChampionsGate and Storey Lake often cost more to service.
Theme parks keep demand steadier than most markets, but spring break, summer and the stretch from Thanksgiving through New Year's are the busiest. Late August through September and mid-January tend to be softer. The opening of Universal's Epic Universe in 2025 added another draw. Hurricane season runs June through November, so ask about storm prep.
Generally no. As of 2026 the city requires the owner to live in the home and be present during stays. Verify with the city before buying.
No. The Osceola County Tax Collector says it is not contracted with Airbnb or Vrbo, so you must collect and remit the 6% tax yourself.
Check Osceola County's short-term rental overlay map and call county zoning, since only certain districts allow it.
Sources:
Part of the same family as WelcomeScreen and Valdra