Is Florida City, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Florida City, Florida, begin by researching local regulations through Miami-Dade County's zoning department since Florida City operates under county jurisdiction, where short-term rentals typically require a business tax receipt and must comply with residential zoning laws that may restrict rentals to 30+ days in some areas. Obtain necessary permits including a Miami-Dade County business tax receipt ($50-100 annually), register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax collection (6% state + 1% local tourist development tax), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes which may require smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit plans. Find a suitable property by targeting single-family homes or condos in neighborhoods near Everglades National Park, Homestead-Miami Speedway, or Biscayne National Park, with properties typically ranging $200,000-400,000 for purchase or $1,500-2,500 monthly for rental arbitrage. Furnish the space with hurricane-resistant furniture, tropical décor reflecting South Florida aesthetics, essential amenities like high-speed internet, air conditioning, and kitchen basics, budgeting approximately $15,000-25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting proximity to national parks and Miami (30 minutes north), setting competitive rates of $80-150 per night based on seasonality and local events like NASCAR races. Manage operations by implementing self-check-in systems, hiring local cleaning services ($75-125 per turnover), partnering with property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if needed, maintaining 24/7 guest communication, and ensuring compliance with ongoing tax obligations and permit renewals while monitoring Miami-Dade County's evolving short-term rental regulations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Florida City, Florida, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Everglades National Park and Homestead-Miami Speedway, as these drive significant tourist traffic year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with pools, updated kitchens, and hurricane-resistant features, as these command premium rates of $150-300 per night compared to basic properties at $80-150. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating 15-20% annual returns, with occupancy rates above 65% being ideal in this market. Research competition within a 3-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, noting that properties near the Florida Keys entrance and with everglades tour proximity consistently outperform others. Utilize Rabbu and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, partner with local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa for market insights, and leverage the Miami-Dade County short-term rental regulations database to ensure compliance. Properties priced between $200,000-400,000 typically offer the best cash-on-cash returns, especially those marketed to eco-tourists, racing enthusiasts, and Miami overflow visitors seeking budget-friendly alternatives to South Beach accommodations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Florida City, Florida, you must first contact the Florida City Building Department at 404 West Palm Drive to determine specific zoning compliance for short-term rentals in your area, as regulations vary by district. Submit an application for a business tax receipt through the City Clerk's office, providing required documents including property deed or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, completed STR registration form, and valid Florida driver's license or ID. Pay the estimated $150-300 annual business tax receipt fee plus any applicable zoning compliance fees of approximately $100-200. Schedule and pass required inspections including fire safety, building code compliance, and health department review if applicable, which typically costs $75-150 per inspection. The entire process generally takes 30-60 days from initial application to permit approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Florida City requires STR operators to maintain guest registries, post emergency contact information prominently in the rental unit, ensure adequate parking as specified in zoning requirements, and comply with noise ordinances and occupancy limits based on property size and zoning classification.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Florida City, Florida, but operate under specific municipal regulations established in recent years. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning restrictions that primarily allow short-term rentals in commercially zoned areas and certain residential zones with conditions. Florida City prohibits STRs in single-family residential neighborhoods to preserve community character, while allowing them in multi-family and mixed-use developments. Operators must maintain liability insurance, provide 24/7 contact information, limit occupancy based on property size, and ensure adequate parking. The city implemented stricter enforcement measures around 2022-2023, including increased fines for violations and mandatory registration renewal annually. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, with regular inspections required for compliance.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Florida City include the Historic Downtown District near Krome Avenue, which attracts visitors exploring the area's agricultural heritage and serves as a gateway to Everglades National Park with consistent eco-tourism traffic year-round. The residential neighborhoods along SW 344th Street and SW 328th Street offer affordable property acquisition costs while maintaining proximity to Homestead-Miami Speedway, generating significant rental demand during NASCAR events and racing seasons from November through March. Areas near the Florida City Commons shopping center provide convenience for business travelers and families, while properties within a 10-mile radius of the Everglades entrance benefit from the park's 1+ million annual visitors seeking authentic Florida wilderness experiences. The Redland agricultural district attracts agritourism visitors interested in U-pick farms, tropical fruit tours, and rural experiences, particularly during winter months when northern tourists seek warm weather destinations, making these areas consistently profitable for short-term rental investments.

In Florida City, Florida, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, the Miami-Dade County tourist development tax of 7%, and potentially a local bed tax that varies but typically ranges from 1-3%. The total effective tax rate on short-term rentals is approximately 13-16% of the rental amount. These taxes are generally collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts should verify their registration status with the Florida Department of Revenue and Miami-Dade County tax collector. Exemptions typically apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and some exemptions may exist for certain government or charitable organization bookings. Hosts are required to obtain a sales tax certificate from the Florida Department of Revenue and may need additional permits from Miami-Dade County, with remittance typically occurring monthly or quarterly depending on the volume of transactions and specific local requirements.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Florida City, Florida is approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase costs around $320,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor suitable for short-term rentals. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees range from $500-$1,500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage costs $2,500-$4,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable total $1,000-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover averaging 8 cleanings monthly), property management or self-management tools ($200/month), maintenance reserves ($300/month), and marketing expenses ($200/month) total approximately $9,900. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees ($100-$300/month), property taxes ($3,200 annually), and a 10% contingency fund of $3,000-$5,000 for unexpected expenses during the startup phase.

Airbnb properties in Florida City, Florida, demonstrate moderate to strong profitability potential, with average annual revenues ranging from $25,000-$45,000 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, while operating expenses typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue including cleaning fees ($75-150 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-3,000 annually), and maintenance costs. Properties near Everglades National Park and Homestead-Miami Speedway command premium rates of $120-200 per night during peak season (December-April) compared to $80-120 in off-season, resulting in profit margins of 15-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include strategic location within 10 miles of major attractions, professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, and maintaining 4.7+ star ratings, with properties like waterfront homes near Biscayne Bay achieving occupancy rates of 70-85% and annual profits exceeding $20,000, while standard suburban properties typically see 50-65% occupancy and $8,000-15,000 annual profits. The market benefits from year-round tourism, proximity to Miami (30 miles), and limited hotel inventory, though competition has intensified since 2019 with over 400 active listings in the area, making property differentiation and exceptional guest experience crucial for sustained profitability.

Airbnb investments in Florida City, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15%, driven by the city's proximity to Everglades National Park and Homestead-Miami Speedway which attract consistent tourist traffic year-round. Properties in Florida City generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs compared to Miami-Dade's northern areas, with median property prices around $280,000-350,000, while rental demand remains strong from visitors accessing the Everglades, Florida Keys travelers, and seasonal workers in the agricultural sector. Investors can expect gross rental yields of 10-14% before expenses, with net operating income margins of 35-45% after accounting for cleaning, maintenance, property management fees, and local taxes, making Florida City a viable market for short-term rental investments with moderate competition and steady tourism fundamentals.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Florida City, Florida, providing market analytics and investment insights. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments include Miami-Dade Investment Properties, Keys Real Estate Group, and Homestead Property Advisors, who have deep knowledge of the Florida City market's rental potential near Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay. National services like AirDNA, Mashvisor, and BiggerPockets offer market analysis tools and investment calculators specifically for short-term rental properties in the area. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services for investors, while companies like Awning and AvantStay focus on identifying and optimizing Airbnb investments. Local property management firms such as South Florida Vacation Rentals and Tropical Breeze Property Management specialize in maximizing rental income for investors in Florida City's growing tourism market, particularly properties that cater to visitors exploring the nearby national parks and Miami metropolitan area.