Thinking about turning a West Melbourne property into a weekly or monthly rental? You are not alone. With steady demand from Space Coast professionals and families in transition, mid-term rentals can offer flexibility and solid occupancy. In this guide, you will learn the local rules, the taxes you must collect, a simple ROI framework, and a step-by-step checklist to launch with confidence. Let’s dive in.

What counts as mid-term here

Mid-term rentals in West Melbourne generally span from 7 days up to 6 months. Under Florida tax rules, any rental of living accommodations for six months (182 days) or less is treated as a transient rental subject to state and county taxes. Stays longer than six months are typically exempt from the state transient tax. You should confirm your specific setup against current city and state guidance.

City rules you must follow

Minimum stay and zoning

West Melbourne prohibits rentals of less than one week in residential zoning districts. Weekly, monthly, and longer rentals are permitted, provided you comply with city registration requirements. You can review the city’s short-term rental overview on the City of West Melbourne website for details on zoning and enforcement guidance.

• Learn more: the city’s summary on short-term residential rentals outlines the one-week minimum and core rules for residential areas. Visit the City of West Melbourne page on Short-Term Residential Rentals.

Business Tax Receipt requirement

If you plan to rent by the week or month, you must obtain a City of West Melbourne Business Tax Receipt. The city offers separate application forms for “Vacation Rental” and “Rental,” depending on how you market and operate the property. Fees are modest, and the application is required before operating.

• Start here: see West Melbourne’s Business Tax Receipts page for current forms and instructions.

HOA rules and property-specific checks

Your homeowners association may set stricter rental rules than the city. Review covenants and confirm any minimum stays, screening policies, or registration needs. Also verify whether your address sits in a district with additional assessments or special requirements.

Homestead exemption caution

Renting a homesteaded property can jeopardize your homestead exemption. As a practical rule cited by local guidance, if a homesteaded home is rented more than 30 days per calendar year for two consecutive years, the exemption may be removed. Always confirm with the Brevard County Property Appraiser before you list. For background, see the Florida Association of Property Appraisers’ FAQs on homestead issues.

Taxes you need to collect

Florida transient rental tax

Rentals of six months or less are subject to the Florida transient rental tax. The statutory state rate is 6 percent. Owners or managers must register, collect the tax from guests, and remit it to the Florida Department of Revenue. See Florida Statutes section 212.03 for the rule.

• Reference: Florida Statutes 212.03 on transient rentals.

Brevard County Tourist Development Tax

Brevard County levies a Tourist Development Tax of 5 percent on rentals of six months or less. You must register, collect, and remit this county tax in addition to the state tax. The county Tourism Development Office provides an overview of the tax and its use.

• Reference: Brevard County Tourism Development Tax FAQ.

Local discretionary sales surtax

Brevard also has a discretionary sales surtax that can affect combined sales tax calculations. Use the Florida Department of Revenue surtax table to verify the current rate for your jurisdiction.

• Check the current surtax rate on the Florida DOR surtax page.

Who files and when

State sales/transient tax and Brevard’s Tourist Development Tax are commonly filed monthly, typically due by the 20th of the following month. Brevard provides electronic filing guidance and timing details. Confirm the current filing portal and deadlines before your first booking.

• Filing guidance: see Brevard’s Tourist Development Tax collection and filing page.

Pricing and compliance notes

Many platforms show nightly or monthly rates plus taxes and fees. You are responsible for collecting and remitting the correct taxes. Local authorities use cross-checks to identify noncompliance, so register early and keep organized records.

What mid-term rent can support

Local rental indexes suggest typical West Melbourne rents in the range of about 1,650 to 2,330 dollars per month depending on property type, finishes, and location. Mid-term stays can often command a premium over a standard long-term lease if the home is furnished and utilities are included. Demand in West Melbourne is supported by Space Coast employers, project-based work, visiting medical staff, and families between homes. Seasonality can affect occupancy and achievable weekly or monthly pricing.

Simple ROI example

Here is an illustrative model to stress test your numbers. Replace these assumptions with your actual property, rent comps, and quotes.

• Purchase price: 380,000 dollars.
• Furnished mid-term monthly rent: 2,300 dollars.
• Gross annual rent: 27,600 dollars.
• Vacancy allowance: 8 percent. Effective income: 25,392 dollars.
• Management fee (if used): 12 percent of effective income. Expense: 3,047 dollars.
• Property taxes: estimate 0.7 percent of value as a starting point, about 2,660 dollars. Use the Brevard County Property Appraiser tax estimator for precision.
• Insurance: budget 3,000 dollars. Florida premiums vary widely; get quotes tailored to landlord or vacation rental use. NerdWallet’s Florida overview provides helpful context.
• Maintenance and repairs: 3,800 dollars (about 1 percent of value as a placeholder).
• Utilities (if owner-paid): 1,200 dollars.

Operating subtotal: 13,707 dollars. Net operating income (NOI) is about 11,685 dollars, which implies a cap rate near 3.1 percent at this purchase price. If leveraged at today’s interest rates, cash flow can turn negative unless you buy well, increase achievable rent through presentation and amenities, or lower expenses. This is why a realistic pro forma and strong local comps matter.

Operating costs to budget

• Property taxes. Use the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s estimator to model millage and exemptions.
• Insurance. Florida insurer pricing and coverage vary. Obtain multiple quotes and ensure your policy allows weekly or monthly rentals. See NerdWallet’s Florida homeowners insurance context for ballpark ranges.
• Maintenance and reserves. Budget 5 to 10 percent of gross rent or about 1 percent of property value annually as a starting point.
• Management and cleaning. Third-party management for mid-term rentals can range from about 8 to 20 percent of revenue depending on services. Turnovers are less frequent than nightly rentals, but expect cleaning and inventory refresh between guests.
• Utilities and internet. If you advertise “utilities included,” set usage caps or price to cover typical bills.
• Vacancy and marketing. A 5 to 15 percent vacancy allowance is common depending on seasonality and your marketing reach.
• Licensing, accounting, and tax filings. Budget application fees, bookkeeping, and time to file state and county tax returns each month. West Melbourne’s Business Tax Receipts page outlines current application steps.

Risks to plan for

• Homestead exemption audits. Renting a homesteaded property can trigger loss of the exemption if it is rented beyond allowable thresholds. Confirm your plan with the Property Appraiser. The FAPA homestead FAQ provides helpful background.
• Insurance volatility and storms. Florida’s insurance market can shift quickly. Get quotes for landlord or vacation rental endorsements and evaluate flood coverage where applicable. See NerdWallet’s overview for context.
• Regulatory changes and enforcement. West Melbourne currently requires a one-week minimum stay and a Business Tax Receipt for weekly or longer rentals. Rules and enforcement practices can change, and HOAs can be stricter. Monitor the city’s short-term rental page periodically.
• Market conditions. Space Coast events, employer cycles, and seasonal travel influence occupancy and rates. Keep your calendar, pricing, and marketing flexible.

Step-by-step checklist

1. Verify address-specific rules. Confirm zoning and any HOA restrictions. See the City of West Melbourne short-term rental page for the one-week minimum and contacts.
2. Protect your homestead status. If the property is homesteaded, speak with the Brevard County Property Appraiser before renting. Review the FAPA homestead FAQ for general guidance.
3. Apply for your City Business Tax Receipt. Choose the correct “Rental” or “Vacation Rental” category on West Melbourne’s Business Tax Receipts page.
4. Register for taxes. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for transient rentals and with Brevard County for the Tourist Development Tax. See Florida Statutes 212.03 and the county Tourism FAQ for what is taxable.
5. Learn filing logistics. Review Brevard’s TDT collection and filing page for monthly due dates and electronic filing.
6. Confirm local surtax. Use the Florida DOR surtax table to verify the current discretionary sales surtax for your address.
7. Get insurance in writing. Obtain landlord or vacation rental policies and flood coverage where needed. Ask your carrier to confirm coverage for weekly or monthly rentals.
8. Build a conservative pro forma. Use current rent comps, the county tax estimator, realistic insurance and maintenance reserves, and a vacancy allowance.

Work with a local expert

If you want help pinpointing the right property, pricing a mid-term strategy, or modeling ROI with real comps, you do not have to go it alone. Our boutique team lives and works on the Space Coast, and we bring hands-on guidance to every detail from purchase to presentation. Reach out to Island Pineapple Realty to start a focused plan that fits your goals.

FAQs

What is the minimum stay allowed for rentals in West Melbourne?

• The city prohibits rentals of less than one week in residential zoning districts, and weekly or longer stays require a City Business Tax Receipt.

What taxes apply to rentals of six months or less in Brevard County?

• You must collect Florida’s 6 percent transient rental tax and Brevard County’s 5 percent Tourist Development Tax; a local discretionary surtax may also apply to the combined rate.

Do I need a Business Tax Receipt to rent my home weekly or monthly?

• Yes, West Melbourne requires a City Business Tax Receipt for rentals of a week or longer, with separate forms for “Rental” and “Vacation Rental.”

How do mid-term rents compare with long-term leases locally?

• Mid-term weekly or monthly rentals can command a premium over standard long-term leases when furnished and utilities are included, though seasonality and tenant profile affect the premium.

Will renting my homesteaded home affect my exemption?

• It can; renting a homesteaded property beyond certain thresholds can be treated as abandonment of homestead, so confirm rules with the Property Appraiser before listing.