Is Doral, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Doral, Florida, begin by researching local regulations as Doral requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow vacation rentals in residential areas with proper permits. Contact Doral's Code Compliance Department at (305) 593-6680 to verify specific zoning requirements for your target property location. Obtain necessary permits including a Miami-Dade County resort tax certificate (6% tax), Florida sales tax permit, and Doral business tax receipt which costs approximately $50-150 annually. Find a suitable property by focusing on areas near Miami International Airport, Trump National Doral, or downtown Doral, with average nightly rates ranging $80-200 depending on size and amenities. Purchase essential furnishings including quality mattresses, linens, kitchen appliances, WiFi equipment, and safety items like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, budgeting $3,000-8,000 for a complete setup. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Doral's business district and Miami attractions, setting competitive pricing based on comparable properties in the 33126, 33166, or 33178 zip codes. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining 24/7 communication availability, coordinating with local cleaning services (typically $40-80 per turnover), and ensuring compliance with Doral's noise ordinances and parking restrictions while collecting and remitting the required resort taxes quarterly to Miami-Dade County.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Doral, Florida, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Miami International Airport, near major business districts like the Trump National Doral resort area, and close to shopping centers like CityPlace Doral and Downtown Doral. Target 2-4 bedroom condos or single-family homes built after 2000 with modern amenities, pools, parking, and high-speed internet, as Doral attracts business travelers and families visiting nearby attractions. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds long-term rental income by 40-60%, typically ranging from $150-300 per night depending on size and location. Research competition by examining similar properties within a 2-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu for Miami-Dade market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and consult with local real estate agents familiar with Doral's HOA restrictions and city regulations, as some communities prohibit short-term rentals while others in areas like Downtown Doral and certain condo buildings near the airport corridor remain STR-friendly, making due diligence on zoning and HOA bylaws critical for success.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Doral, Florida, you must first apply through the City of Doral's Planning and Zoning Department located at 8401 NW 53rd Terrace, Doral, FL 33166, or submit your application online through their permitting portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of use/occupancy permit, floor plan of the property, parking plan showing adequate spaces, contact information for a local property manager or 24-hour contact person, general liability insurance certificate with minimum $1 million coverage, and payment of applicable fees. The application fee is approximately $500-750 with annual renewal fees of $300-500, and you may need additional inspections costing $100-200 each. The timeline typically takes 30-60 days for approval depending on completeness of application and any required inspections. Specific Doral requirements include maintaining the property as a single-family residence appearance, providing adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), ensuring compliance with noise ordinances, registering with the Miami-Dade County tax collector for tourist development tax collection, maintaining current business tax receipt, and adhering to occupancy limits based on property size and bedroom count, with properties limited to no more than 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional guests total.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Doral, Florida, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. As of 2023, Doral requires STR operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit STRs to commercially zoned areas and certain residential zones, while prohibiting them in single-family residential neighborhoods. The city implemented these regulations around 2019-2020 following concerns from residents about noise and parking issues. STR properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, maintain occupancy limits based on property size, and operators must provide 24-hour contact information for complaints. Violations can result in fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, and the city actively enforces these regulations through code compliance officers who respond to complaints and conduct inspections.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Doral, Florida include the Downtown Doral district, particularly near CityPlace Doral, which attracts business travelers due to its proximity to major corporations like Carnival Corporation and numerous financial services companies, while also offering upscale dining and entertainment venues that draw leisure visitors. The area around Trump National Doral Miami resort is highly attractive for short-term rentals as it caters to golf tourists, luxury travelers, and event attendees visiting the resort's conference facilities and championship golf courses. The neighborhoods near Miami International Airport, such as those along NW 25th Street and NW 36th Street, are excellent for business travelers and transit passengers seeking convenient accommodations, especially given Doral's reputation as a major business hub with over 3,000 companies headquartered there. The residential areas around Doral Central Park and near the Doral Golf Resort & Spa offer appeal to families and groups attending youth sports tournaments, corporate retreats, and wedding events, while the proximity to major shopping centers like Dolphin Mall and International Mall provides additional draw for leisure travelers seeking retail therapy combined with Miami's attractions.

In Doral, Florida, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, Miami-Dade County tourist development tax of 7%, and a local bed tax that varies but typically ranges from 1-3% depending on the specific municipality within Doral. These taxes are generally collected automatically by Airbnb through their tax collection service for most bookings, with the platform remitting payments directly to the appropriate tax authorities on a monthly basis. However, hosts may still need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Miami-Dade County tax collector's office to obtain the necessary permits and ensure compliance, particularly for longer-term stays exceeding 30 days which may be exempt from tourist development taxes. The total effective tax rate for short-term rentals in Doral typically ranges from 14-16% of the gross rental amount, and hosts should verify their specific obligations as tax rates and collection procedures can change, with some properties potentially qualifying for exemptions based on rental duration, property type, or guest residency status.

To start an Airbnb in Doral, Florida, the total costs would be approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in Doral as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance costs approximately $2,500-$4,000 annually for comprehensive coverage including liability and property protection specific to short-term rentals. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable services cost around $1,000-$1,500 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($3,600), maintenance reserves ($2,000), property management software ($300), and miscellaneous expenses total approximately $8,000-$10,000, bringing the complete startup investment to roughly $580,000-$695,000 depending on property size and finish level.

Airbnb properties in Doral, Florida demonstrate strong profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $85-150 depending on property size and amenities, generating monthly revenues of $2,500-4,500 for well-managed properties with 70-80% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% for Airbnb fees and payment processing, $200-400 monthly for cleaning services, $150-300 for utilities, $100-200 for maintenance and supplies, plus property taxes averaging $3,000-5,000 annually, resulting in net profit margins of 35-45% for efficient operators. Success factors in Doral include proximity to Miami International Airport driving business traveler demand, competitive pricing against nearby Miami Beach properties, professional photography showcasing modern furnishings, and rapid response times to guest inquiries. A typical 2-bedroom condo generating $3,200 monthly revenue with $1,900 in total expenses yields approximately $1,300 monthly profit or $15,600 annually, while luxury 3-bedroom properties near Trump National Doral can achieve $5,000+ monthly revenues with profit margins reaching 50% due to premium pricing for golf resort proximity and corporate housing demand from companies like Carnival Corporation and American Airlines with significant Doral operations.

Airbnb investments in Doral, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15%, driven by the city's proximity to Miami International Airport and strong corporate travel demand from companies like Trump National Doral and various logistics firms operating in the area. Properties in Doral's newer developments and golf course communities can achieve gross rental yields of 6-9% annually, with investors typically reaching profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for initial setup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. The market benefits from consistent year-round occupancy rates of 65-75% due to business travelers, with average daily rates ranging from $120-180 depending on property type and amenities, making Doral one of South Florida's more stable short-term rental markets with lower seasonality compared to beach destinations.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Doral, Florida. In the local Doral market, Doral Real Estate Group and Miami Investment Properties specialize in short-term rental acquisitions, while agents like Carlos Rodriguez at Coldwell Banker and Maria Fernandez at RE/MAX focus on Airbnb investment properties in the area. National services include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which provides rental property analytics, AirDNA for market data analysis, and Roofstock (established 2015) for turnkey rental properties. BiggerPockets connects investors with local Doral agents experienced in STR properties, while AvantStay and RedAwning offer property management and acquisition services. Local companies such as Miami STR Advisors and Florida Vacation Rental Specialists provide end-to-end services from property identification to management setup. Additional national platforms include Awning for STR-focused real estate services, Vacasa for property management and acquisition consulting, and STR Wealth for investment strategy and property sourcing across South Florida markets including Doral.