Coral Terrace Short-Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are Short-Term Rental (Airbnb, VRBO) Regulations in Coral Terrace, Florida?

Short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, many cities and towns have enacted regulations on these types of rentals. Here's what you need to know about short-term rental rules in Coral Terrace, an unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Coral Terrace

Miami-Dade County, which includes Coral Terrace, defines a short-term vacation rental as any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative, or any individually or collectively owned single-family, two-family, three-family or four-family house or dwelling unit, that is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less.

To start a short-term rental business in Coral Terrace, owners must:

• Register the vacation rental property with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and obtain a license. This requires submitting an application and fee.
• Obtain a Certificate of Use from Miami-Dade County. This requires an inspection of the property to ensure compliance with building, zoning, and fire codes. The cost is $36.70 for the certificate plus a $89.97 inspection fee. Certificates must be renewed annually.
• Register with the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office to collect and remit tourist development taxes and sales taxes on the rental income. The tourist tax rate is currently 6%.
• Comply with other county rules related to occupancy limits, parking, noise, trash collection, and evacuation orders.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines starting at $100 for the first offense and increasing to $2500 for repeat violations. The county actively monitors short-term rental listings and has been cracking down on unlicensed rentals in recent years.

On real estate forums like Bigger Pockets, investors note that it's important to ensure a property is properly zoned and licensed before purchasing it as a short-term rental in Miami-Dade County. The added costs and restrictions can impact profitability compared to other markets.

Despite the regulations, there are still many short-term rentals available in Coral Terrace on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Prices typically range from around $70-200 per night depending on the size of the unit and amenities provided.

Overall, while it is possible to operate a short-term rental business in Coral Terrace, owners need to be diligent about complying with all of Miami-Dade County's licensing, tax, and operational requirements. Consulting with a local attorney or property manager can help navigate the rules and regulations.

Short-Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Coral Terrace

To operate a short-term rental legally in Coral Terrace, which is an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, property owners must comply with several licensing requirements at both the state and county level.

First, vacation rentals must be licensed by the State of Florida, including registration with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This involves submitting an application and the required fee to the DBPR.

In addition to the state license, short-term rental operators in Coral Terrace must also obtain a Certificate of Use (CU) from Miami-Dade County prior to listing or advertising the property on any rental platform. The cost for the CU is $36.70.

Upon applying for the CU, the county will schedule a property inspection to ensure compliance with building, zoning, and fire codes. The cost for this inspection is $89.97, plus a $9.50 surcharge, for a total of $136.17.

The CU must be renewed annually at the same cost. To renew, owners can apply prior to or on the day the current CU expires. If a property fails the inspection or has outstanding fines or liens for code violations, the county will not grant the CU.

Whenever a property is being used as a short-term rental, the CU must be visibly displayed in a conspicuous location for guests. It must include the name, address and phone number of the responsible party and state the maximum occupancy allowed in the unit.

Property owners are also required to register with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office in order to collect and remit the required tourist development taxes and sales taxes on the rental income. The tourist tax rate is currently 6%.

Failure to obtain the proper licenses and certificates can result in fines starting at $100 for the first offense and increasing to $2500 for repeat violations. Miami-Dade County has been actively monitoring rental listings and cracking down on unlicensed short-term rentals in recent years.

So, while it is possible to operate a vacation rental in Coral Terrace, owners must be diligent about securing all the necessary licenses, permits, and inspections from both the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County. The costs and requirements are considerable compared to some other markets.

Required Documents for Coral Terrace Short-Term Rentals

To operate a short-term rental legally in Coral Terrace, which is an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, property owners must submit several required documents to the appropriate authorities.

First, vacation rentals must be licensed by the State of Florida. This involves registering with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) by submitting an application and required fee.

In addition to the state license, short-term rental operators in Coral Terrace must also obtain a Certificate of Use (CU) from Miami-Dade County prior to listing or advertising the property. To apply for the CU, owners must submit:

1. A completed Certificate of Use application form
2. Proof of property ownership or a signed and notarized letter from the owner authorizing the applicant to operate a short-term rental on the property
3. A copy of the state vacation rental license from the DBPR
4. A diagram or photos showing the designated off-street parking spaces for the rental
5. Payment of the $36.70 CU fee

Upon applying for the CU, the county will also schedule a property inspection to ensure compliance with building, zoning, and fire codes. The inspection costs $89.97 plus a $9.50 surcharge, for a total of $136.17. If the property fails the inspection, the owner must make the necessary corrections and schedule a re-inspection before the CU will be granted.

Property owners are also required to register with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office in order to collect and remit the required tourist development taxes and sales taxes on the rental income. This involves submitting:

1. A completed Resort Tax Registration application
2. A copy of the owner's driver's license or government-issued ID
3. Proof of property ownership
4. A copy of the state vacation rental license from the DBPR
5. A copy of the Certificate of Use from Miami-Dade County

Owners will receive a Business Tax Receipt and Resort Tax account number upon registration. They are responsible for collecting the 6% tourist development tax and 7% sales tax from guests and filing monthly tax returns with the county.

So, in summary, the key documents required to legally operate a short-term rental in Coral Terrace include:

1. State vacation rental license from the DBPR
2. Certificate of Use from Miami-Dade County
3. Proof of property ownership
4. Diagram of designated parking
5. Resort Tax Registration with the county Tax Collector
6. Monthly tax returns

Failure to obtain and maintain these required documents can result in significant fines and penalties from both the state and county. Short-term rental operators should keep careful records and consult with the appropriate authorities to ensure they remain in full compliance.

Coral Terrace Short-Term Rental Taxes

Short-term rental operators in Coral Terrace, an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, are required to collect and remit several taxes on the rental income they earn.

At the state level, vacation rentals are subject to Florida's 6% sales tax on the total rental charges. This tax is administered by the Florida Department of Revenue. Hosts must register with the department to receive a sales tax certificate before they can begin collecting taxes from guests.

In addition to the state sales tax, Miami-Dade County levies a 6% Tourist Development Tax on all short-term rentals countywide, including in unincorporated areas like Coral Terrace. This tax is also collected by the Florida Department of Revenue on behalf of the county.

To collect and remit the Tourist Development Tax, short-term rental operators must also register with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office and obtain a Resort Tax account. They will receive a Business Tax Receipt upon registration.

So, in total, the taxes that apply to short-term rentals in Coral Terrace are:

1. 6% Florida sales tax
2. 6% Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Tax

This amounts to a total tax rate of 12% that must be collected from guests and remitted to the proper tax authorities.

It's important to note that these taxes apply to all rental charges, including any cleaning fees, pet fees, extra guest charges, etc. The taxes should be collected from guests at the time of payment and then remitted to the state on a monthly basis.

Failure to comply with state and county tax requirements can result in significant penalties and interest. The Florida Department of Revenue actively monitors short-term rental listings to ensure proper tax collection and has been increasing its enforcement efforts in recent years.

Short-term rental hosts in Coral Terrace should be diligent about understanding their tax obligations and staying in compliance. Working with a tax professional or a service like Avalara MyLodgeTax can help facilitate tax collection and remittance.

Florida Wide Short-Term Rental Rules

While specific short-term rental regulations can vary by city and county, there are some general rules that apply across the state of Florida.

First, the state defines a short-term rental as any rental agreement that is less than six months in duration. For these rentals, owners must collect a 6% State Sales Tax from guests and remit it to the Florida Department of Revenue. This applies regardless of the length of the rental, and there is no minimum stay requirement to trigger this tax.

In addition, Florida state law prohibits local governments from banning short-term rentals altogether and from limiting the length or frequency of stays. This makes Florida one of the more favorable states for short-term rental operators compared to markets with more restrictive laws.

However, while cities and counties cannot ban short-term rentals outright, they are allowed to pass rules to mitigate potential negative impacts on the community. This includes things like noise ordinances, parking requirements, trash collection rules, and safety regulations.

Statewide, all vacation rentals must comply with strict sanitation and safety standards. This covers common areas like hallways and stairwells as well as private spaces and amenities within the rental unit. Specific items that fall under these rules include kitchen appliances, refrigerators, water systems, bedding, and linens.

Safety is also heavily regulated, with requirements for railings, heating and ventilation, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and more. The state authorities take these rules very seriously, and failure to comply can result in fines or other penalties.

It's important to note that the short-term rental landscape in Florida is constantly evolving. Legislators frequently propose new bills that could impact hosts, such as a potential statewide registration system, changes to tax collection, or mandatory inspections. Owners and property managers need to stay informed about the latest developments at both the state and local level.

Overall, while Florida is generally a short-term rental-friendly state, operating a vacation rental legally requires careful research and compliance with a variety of state and local rules. Hosts should consult with local authorities and legal advisors to ensure they are meeting all requirements for registration, taxation, safety, and other regulations.

Does Coral Terrace Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

Based on discussions from real estate investing forums like Bigger Pockets and Reddit, it appears that Coral Terrace and the greater Miami-Dade County area do enforce short-term rental regulations fairly strictly compared to some other Florida cities.

Miami-Dade County defines a short-term rental as any unit rented for periods of 6 months or less. The county requires all short-term rentals to be licensed and registered, with a limit of only 3 registrations per property per year. Failure to comply can result in significant fines, starting at $500 for the first offense and increasing to $5000+ for repeat violations.

On the Bigger Pockets forums, investors note that it's critical to ensure a property is properly zoned and licensed before attempting any short-term rentals in Miami-Dade County. The licensing requirements, fees, and potential penalties for non-compliance add complexity and costs compared to other markets.

While there are some successful Airbnb operators in the county, the general consensus is that the Miami area is not particularly friendly to short-term rentals. The county has been cracking down more on unlicensed rentals in recent years.

One Reddit user shared their experience living in a South Beach condo building with strict rules prohibiting short-term rentals under 6 months. The user complained that the building was full of retirees rather than young people, and had onerous guest restrictions, indicating short-term rentals were not tolerated.

Other users suggested parts of Miami like Brickell or Wynwood may be slightly friendlier to Airbnb, but still noted the city has a lot of regulations and barriers for short-term rental operators compared to other parts of Florida. Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood were mentioned as potentially easier markets.

So, in summary, Coral Terrace and Miami-Dade County as a whole appear to enforce short-term rental regulations quite strictly. The area is not very Airbnb-friendly compared to other parts of Florida. While some hosts do operate there, the licensing requirements and potential penalties make it a riskier and more complex market than elsewhere in the state. Investors should be cautious and ensure full compliance before considering short-term rentals in Coral Terrace or greater Miami.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Coral Terrace

Based on the information gathered from official sources and real estate investing forums, here are the key steps to legally start a short-term rental business in Coral Terrace, an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, Florida:

1. Check the zoning for your property. Miami-Dade County has strict limits on where short-term rentals are allowed. Contact the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources to verify your property is zoned for short-term rentals and request a pre-application zoning consultation.
2. Register your short-term rental property with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and obtain a license. Submit a Vacation Rental Application along with the required $250 fee.
3. Apply for a Certificate of Use (CU) from Miami-Dade County. Submit a completed application, proof of ownership, a copy of your state vacation rental license, a parking diagram, and the $136.17 fee to the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.
4. Schedule and pass the county's required property inspection. The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources will inspect your rental to ensure compliance with building, zoning, and fire codes. Make any necessary corrections if issues are found.
5. Register with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office to collect and remit the required 6% tourist development tax and 6% state sales tax. Submit a Resort Tax Registration application, proof of ownership, a copy of your state and county licenses, and obtain a Business Tax Receipt.
6. Set up your rental property with furnishings, amenities, and safety equipment that meet the state's vacation rental standards. This includes fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, emergency lighting, and pool safety features.
7. Obtain the required insurance coverage for your short-term rental. This typically includes commercial liability insurance and property insurance. Check with your insurance provider for the appropriate coverage for your rental type.
8. Create a detailed rental agreement that complies with all state and local laws. Include provisions for occupancy limits, quiet hours, parking, pet policies, etc. Have a lawyer review the agreement to ensure it is legally sound.
9. List your property on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, or use a short-term rental property management service to handle marketing and bookings. Make sure to clearly communicate all house rules and guest expectations in your listing.
10. Implement a system to manage inquiries, reservations, payments, check-ins, cleaning, and maintenance. Consider using vacation rental software or hiring a property manager to automate operations and ensure a smooth experience for your guests.

By carefully following these steps and ensuring full compliance with all state and county regulations, you can launch a successful and legal short-term rental business in Coral Terrace. Just be prepared for the strict enforcement and high costs of licensing and taxes in the Miami-Dade market.

Who to Contact in Coral Terrace about Short-Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

If you have questions about short-term rental regulations or zoning for your property in Coral Terrace, which is an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, there are several county departments you can contact for assistance.

For general questions or to report a possible code violation related to short-term rentals, you can contact the county by calling 311.

For more specific questions about short-term rental standards and enforcement, contact the Neighborhood Regulations Division:

Neighborhood Regulations Division
Phone: 786-315-2552

If you need information about zoning and land use regulations for short-term rentals, contact the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Development Services Division:

Development Services Division
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, 11th floor
Miami, FL 33128
Phone: 305-375-2800
Fax: 305-372-6096

For questions about the Certificate of Use required for short-term rentals, contact the Development Services Division and ask for the Zoning Permits section:

Zoning Permits
Permitting & Inspection Center
11805 SW 26th Street (Coral Way)
Miami, FL 33175
Phone: 786-315-2000

The county also has several key staff members who oversee short-term rental and zoning issues:

1. Eric Silva, Assistant Director for Development Services
   Phone: 305-375-2842
2. Amina N. Newsome, Senior Division Chief
   Phone: 305-375-2842
3. Lluvia Resendiz, Zoning Information Supervisor
   Phone: 305-375-1806
4. Jose Rivero, Zoning Hearings Supervisor
   Phone: 305-375-2640

These county divisions and staff members can provide guidance on how to comply with all the short-term rental rules and zoning requirements in Coral Terrace. They are available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the licensing and registration process.

What Do Airbnb Hosts in Coral Terrace on Reddit and Bigger Pockets Think about Local Regulations?

Based on discussions from real estate investing forums like Bigger Pockets and Reddit, it appears that Airbnb hosts in Coral Terrace and the greater Miami-Dade County area have mixed feelings about the local short-term rental regulations.

On a Reddit thread about the legality of Airbnb in nearby Coral Gables, one user noted that "90% of the United States passed laws within the last 5 years to make short-term rentals illegal," but there are loopholes if the owner lives in the house and has the proper permits. However, they cautioned that the city and state authorities do monitor Airbnb listings and will fine or even seize properties from owners operating illegally.

Another Redditor commented that in Coral Gables "you are not even allowed to fart without first obtaining a permit" and the city loves to "crackdown on lawbreakers" in the name of quality of life. This suggests some hosts feel the regulations are overly strict and zealously enforced.

On the Bigger Pockets forums, an investor looking to purchase a single-family home in North Miami to use as a short-term rental noted the city ordinance only allows them to be rented 4 times per year for a minimum of 3 months at a time. They asked if there were any "hacks" other landlords use to get around this, such as renting to their own LLC. But no one provided any clear loopholes to circumvent the rules legally.

The general sentiment seems to be that while there is strong demand for short-term rentals in the Miami area, the regulations are quite restrictive and risky to attempt to skirt. Hosts need to be very careful to dot all their i's and cross their t's regarding permits, taxes, and licensing if they want to operate legally and avoid issues with the authorities.

Some feel the rules are unfairly limiting property owners' rights, with one Redditor exclaiming, "Imagine not being able to rent out your own home." But others point out the regulations are in place for good reasons like safety, quality of life for residents, and preserving housing stock.

So, in summary, Airbnb hosts in Coral Terrace and surrounding areas seem somewhat frustrated by the strict and complex web of short-term rental rules in Miami-Dade County. But operating under the radar is risky, so most serious hosts aim to comply fully, even if they disagree with the laws. The regulations definitely present a challenge for those looking to get into the Airbnb business in this part of Florida.

Disclaimer: While we here at BNBCalc strive to keep all of our city regulation guides updated and accurate with all the latest local laws, we still do not suggest using them as your sole or primary source for local regulations. We also do not recommend you rely on the third-party sources we link to or reference, and we are not responsible for any of the information on these third-party sites. These guides are for entertainment purposes only and only provide basic information and should not be considered as legal advice.

We highly recommend directly contacting the responsible parties for each city and hearing what their officials have to say. Ultimately, it's your responsibility as an investor to ensure you fully comply with the local laws, and it's best to speak with professionals before making an investment decision.