Lake Wales, Florida

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Polk County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredBusiness License Required
County-level data: No city-specific ordinance found. Showing regulations for Polk County which apply to this area.
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/16/2026
1000 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Density / Distance Cap1000 ft
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Official Sources

polktaxes.com/services/ta-05-01-real-estate-property-rentals/
Data confidence: 85%Last updated: June 16, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Lake Wales, Florida

Lake Wales, Florida has no separate city ordinance, so Polk County rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Lake Wales, Florida?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Lake Wales, Florida.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Lake Wales?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

Where do these Lake Wales short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Lake Wales's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Lake Wales, Polk County, or Florida authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.