The Tourist Development Tax is a tax on the total payment received for the rental or lease of living quarters and accommodations in a hotel, motel, rooming house, trailer camp, condominium, apartment, multiple-unit structure, mobile home, trailer, single-family home, or any other sleeping accommodations that are rented for a period of six months or less. The authorization to levy and administer Tourist Development Taxes of up to six percent is stated in Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, and in Chapter 212, Florida Statutes. 

On July 18, 2006, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners increased the Tourist Development Tax rate from five percent (5%) to six percent (6%). The new rate was effective September 1, 2006.

The Tourist Development Tax is levied by the Board of County Commissioners and is administered by the Orange County Comptroller's Office. Expenditures for the first four cents are limited by Florida Statutes to the acquisition and operation of convention centers, sports stadiums and arenas, auditoriums and museums, promotion and/or advertisement of tourism and funding of tourist and convention bureaus and tourist information centers. Expenditures for the fifth cent are limited by Florida Statutes to pay the debt service on bonds issued to finance the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of a professional sports franchise facility or subsequently a convention center or promote and advertise tourism. Expenditures for the sixth cent are limited by Florida Statutes to pay the debt service on bonds issued to finance the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of a new professional sports franchise facility or a retained spring training franchise facility, or promote and advertise tourism. "New professional sports franchise" means a professional sports franchise that was not based in Florida prior to April 1, 1987.