Start your own farm stay

1. Choose your unit

Our farm stay is La Grande, a renovated 1976 Avion travel trailer (a vintage aluminum trailer in the same family of looks as an Airstream). Vintage campers photograph beautifully and give guests a story, but they come with trade-offs.

• Have a pro check a vintage trailer’s roof, floor, frame, wiring, propane lines, and plumbing before you invest in a remodel. Water damage is the biggest hidden cost.
• Plan for air conditioning that works in Florida summers, plus a heater for cool nights.
• Think through entry and accessibility. Our listing tells guests there are about 5 steps up to the deck and no ramp, and honest notes like that prevent bad reviews.
• Design for real use: a comfortable bed, good lighting, a usable kitchen, hooks, storage, and a bathroom guests will actually love.

2. Utilities: water, power, and waste

• Water: use a food-grade drinking-water hose, a pressure regulator, and a filter. If you’re on a well, test the water. Make sure hot water is easy to control. Tankless heaters have remotes, so leave clear instructions.
• Power: have a licensed electrician install a proper RV pedestal or panel with correct breakers and grounding. Don’t rely on extension cords. Size it for A/C, the fridge, a microwave, and heaters running at once.
• Septic or sewer: a trailer can connect to an existing septic system or sewer line, use a holding tank pumped on a schedule, or use a compost toilet. Our unit uses an eco-friendly compost toilet.
• Check the rules: in Florida, onsite sewage systems and many waste options are regulated through the Florida Department of Health and your county. Verify what is allowed for your unit and how many guests it can serve.
• Greywater: don’t just dump it on the ground. Ask your county about approved options.
• Propane and gas: inspect lines and appliances, and install a carbon monoxide alarm.

3. Shade structure

A shade structure is one of the best upgrades you can make in Florida. A simple metal roof on wood poles over the unit and deck keeps the trailer cooler, protects it from rain and debris, and gives guests a comfortable outdoor room.

• Design for wind: Florida storms are serious. Use properly sized posts set deep, solid connections, and anchored roofing.
• Roof choice: metal sheds rain and lasts, and an overhang adds shade. Make sure fasteners are corrosion-resistant.
• Clearances: leave room between the roof and the trailer for the air conditioner, vents, and awnings. Keep it away from any fire pit or grill.
• Deck: include sturdy steps with a handrail, good lighting, and non-slip boards. Add seating and string lights for ambiance.
• Permits: a roofed structure may need a building permit and have setback rules. Ask your county or city building department before you build.

4. Zoning & permits

Before you buy a unit or build anything, find out whether your property is allowed to host paying guests in an RV, trailer, or small structure.

• Call your city or county planning and zoning office (in Gainesville, that’s the City of Gainesville or Alachua County, depending on your address).
• Ask whether your zoning (agricultural, residential, or other) allows short-term rentals, and whether RVs or trailers can be used as guest lodging, or only as storage.
• Ask about minimum stay rules, the number of units, parking, and signage.
• Ask what building, electrical, and septic permits are required for utilities, decks, and shade structures.
• Check HOA or deed restrictions and any agricultural exemptions, since adding a rental may affect your agricultural classification.
• Ask if any fire, health, or safety inspections apply.
• Get answers in writing where possible, and keep copies.

5. Florida licensing & taxes

• Ask whether Airbnb collects and remits any of these taxes for you, and which ones you must still file yourself.
• Keep clean income and expense records, and ask a CPA how rental income and farm income interact.
• Look into business registration, such as an LLC, with an attorney or advisor.
• Understand fire safety basics, such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and posted emergency information.

6. Insurance

Don’t assume your homeowners or farm policy covers paying guests. Many policies exclude short-term rentals.

• Ask your insurance agent about short-term rental or commercial liability coverage for the guest unit and the activity on your property.
• Insure the unit itself. RVs, trailers, and structures are often covered under different policies.
• Tell your insurer about animals on the property and about guest contact with them, including feeding.
• Understand what Airbnb’s host protections cover and don’t cover, and don’t treat them as a replacement for your own policy.
• Consider an umbrella policy, and post clear safety signage and house rules.

7. Listing photos

Photos are your best sales tool. One of our favorite shots is the trailer glowing at sunset.

• Shoot in natural light, with a clean, staged space, in landscape and portrait. Add a few golden hour and twilight exterior photos with string lights on.
• Show the whole experience: the deck, fire pit, kitchen, bed, bath, outdoor space, and the animals guests will meet.
• Lead with your most distinctive photo, and put the best images first.
• Be honest. Show the real space, including the steps, the compost toilet, and any quirks, so guests aren’t surprised.
• Update your photos each season, and write captions that tell a story.

8. Pricing

• Research comps: browse similar unique stays near you, and compare size, amenities, and ratings, not just price.
• Know your costs: include cleaning, laundry, supplies, utilities, insurance, taxes, platform fees, and your time.
• Use dynamic pricing: weekends, holidays, and local events cost more. In Gainesville, think about UF home football weekends, move-in, parents’ weekends, and graduation, and expect quieter weeks in slow seasons.
• Launch smart: a modest introductory rate can help you earn your first reviews, and reviews drive bookings. Raise prices as your rating grows.
• Cleaning fee and minimum nights: set them to cover your real turnover costs and the kind of guests you want.
• Review your numbers every month, and adjust.

9. The guest experience with animals

Animals are what make a farm stay memorable, and also what can go wrong. Set expectations and protect guests and animals.

• Set expectations in your listing: which animals live on the property, where guests can go, and when feeding happens. Offer optional feed times and goat treats at a counter or station.
• Keep animals in secure pens or on a defined area, and keep gates latched. Supervise children.
• Handwashing: provide a hand-wash station or sanitizer near the animals, and ask guests to wash after contact. Poultry and livestock can carry germs such as Salmonella and E. coli.
• Rules for guests: no feeding animals outside what you provide, no entering pens without you, closed-toe shoes, and no pets near livestock unless you allow it.
• Allergies and safety: mention allergies, uneven ground, and fire pit rules.
• Add small touches: fresh eggs, firewood for the fire pit, a welcome note, a trail map, and easy directions.
• Be available: responsiveness is a top reason for great reviews.

10. Cleaning & turnover

• Write a checklist for every room, from linens to bathroom to kitchen, and follow it each turn. Photograph the finished unit so you can compare.
• Linens and towels: keep at least two full sets per bed so you can turn quickly. Consider a laundry service in a tight space.
• Restock toilet paper, soap, coffee, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. Keep a small stock closet.
• Hire a reliable cleaner or train a team, and plan time for same-day turnovers.
• Florida humidity: run the A/C or a dehumidifier between guests to prevent mildew, and watch for ants and other pests. Check for leaks.
• Outdoor reset: sweep the deck, empty the fire pit if needed, and refill firewood.
• Deep clean on a schedule and inspect for maintenance issues, such as lights, locks, and the A/C filter.

Launch checklist

• Confirmed zoning, permits, and building rules with the city or county
• Confirmed state licensing with DBPR
• Registered for sales tax with FL DOR and the county tourist tax
• Insurance in place for short-term guests, animals, and the unit
• Utilities, waste, and shade structure inspected and safe
• Smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit installed
• Professional-quality photos, honest description, and clear house rules
• Pricing, calendar, and cleaning plan ready
• Guest welcome guide with animal rules and directions

This guide is general information for homesteaders and isn’t legal, tax, or insurance advice. Rules and rates change, so verify with DBPR, the Florida Department of Revenue, the Alachua County Tax Collector, your local planning and zoning office, and a qualified professional.