Short-Term Rental Laws in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
Short-term rentals (rentals of homes, duplexes, tri/four-plexes, or condos to transient occupants for periods under 30 days) are legal in Fort Lauderdale but every property must be registered with the city's Vacation Rental Registration Program and hold a Certificate of Compliance, on top of a Florida DBPR lodging license, state/county tax accounts, and city and county business tax receipts. Initial registration costs $880 (effective October 1, 2025, up from $350) and must be renewed annually by September 30 ($650 non-owner-occupied, $200 owner-occupied), with a passed city safety inspection. The biggest constraints are occupancy limits (2 overnight guests per bedroom, gatherings capped at 20) and strict enforcement, including certificate suspensions and fines of up to $5,000 per day for operating while suspended (up to $15,000 per violation where the violation is irreparable or irreversible). Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 8 official sources. How we verify data
Fort Lauderdale STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) |
| Permit fee | $880 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% of gross revenue |
| Insurance | No city insurance requirement found. The vacation rental ordinance (Code Ch. 15, Art. X) and the city's registration document checklist do not require proof of insurance; requirements are licensing, tax accounts, safety standards, and inspection. |
| Enforcement | gov). |
| Current rules effective | 2025-10-01 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Fort Lauderdale stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Fort Lauderdale, FL — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Fort Lauderdale occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| Broward County Discretionary Sales Surtax (1%)· collection varies | $4.50 |
| Broward County Tourist Development Tax (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Fort Lauderdale requires Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $880, renewed annually.
Initial registration $880 per folio (covers up to 4 units under one folio, includes 1st inspection), effective Oct 1, 2025 (previously $350). Annual renewal: $650 non-owner-occupied, $200 owner-occupied (homestead). $100 late fee for renewals after the Aug 1 deadline; renewals not completed by Sept 30 are treated as new $880 applications. $100 per additional safety inspection/reinspection/no-show; $50 rental agent transfer fee. A separate City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Receipt is also required (renewal $157.50), plus a Broward County Business Tax Receipt.
Zoning & location rules
Vacation rentals are a permitted use of residential property citywide subject to registration and standards in Code Ch. 15, Art. X; Florida law (F.S. 509.032(7)(b)) preempts the city from banning them or regulating rental duration/frequency. One zoning carve-out: accessory dwellings in the RS-8 and RD-15 districts cannot be used as vacation rentals (ULDR Sec. 47-19.2.A.7). Operational standards cap overnight occupancy at 2 transient occupants per sleeping room (verified at inspection) and gatherings at 1.5x overnight occupancy, never more than 20 persons (gathering cap waived for owner-occupied rentals when the owner is present; up to 4 children under 13 don't count). All guest vehicles must park in the on-site driveway.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax)Applies to rentals of 182 nights or less. Airbnb (and major platforms) collect and remit for platform bookings; hosts taking direct bookings must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and remit. City registration requires proof of the FL DOR tax registration or a statement that a platform/manager remits on the host's behalf. | 6% | varies |
| Broward County Discretionary Sales SurtaxCounty surtax collected with the state sales tax on transient rentals; Airbnb collects for platform bookings, hosts remit on direct bookings via their FL DOR account. | 1% | varies |
| Broward County Tourist Development Tax6% of listing price including cleaning fees for stays of 182 nights or less. Airbnb collects and remits for Broward County listings; otherwise the host must register with and remit to the Broward County Tourist Development Tax Section. The city accepts a notarized statement naming the platform if it remits TDT for you. Combined tax burden: 13% (6% + 1% + 6%). | 6% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Dedicated program run by the Community Enhancement and Compliance Division with a 24/7 vacation rental complaint hotline (1-800-685-7453) and complaint email (VRInfo@fortlauderdale.gov). The city publishes district-by-district reports of registered rentals and open enforcement cases (updated quarterly). Advertising a property for periods under 30 days is direct evidence of operating and raises a rebuttable presumption of violation in enforcement proceedings. Cited unregistered operators must either register or deactivate all advertisements and stop hosting; they may not advertise, accept bookings, or allow occupancy until a Certificate of Compliance is issued. Fees fund inspections, monitoring software, a customer service call center, and enforcement; the program grew from ~320 registered rentals in 2017 to more than 1,300 in 2025.
Violations are civil infractions: $250 per uncontested violation, $325 per contested violation (raised from $200/$275 in Sept 2023); each day is a separate violation, except occupancy violations count once per rental period. A special magistrate may suspend the Certificate of Compliance: 180 days on a 3rd violation, 365 days on a 4th, plus 30 days per additional violation. Operating during a suspension carries fines up to $1,000/day (first violation), $5,000/day (repeat), and up to $15,000 per violation if found irreparable or irreversible. False application information is grounds for revocation.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Fort Lauderdale: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: Vacation rentals are a permitted use of residential property citywide subject to registration and standards in Code Ch. 15, Art. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance)
Budget $880, renewed annually. Initial registration $880 per folio (covers up to 4 units under one folio, includes 1st inspection), effective Oct 1, 2025 (previously $350). Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Line up required insurance
No city insurance requirement found. The vacation rental ordinance (Code Ch. 15, Art. X) and the city's registration document checklist do not require proof of insurance; requirements are licensing, tax accounts, safety standards, and inspection.
- 5
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%), Broward County Discretionary Sales Surtax (1%), Broward County Tourist Development Tax (6%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 6
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annually (budget $880 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 7
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Violations are civil infractions: $250 per uncontested violation, $325 per contested violation (raised from $200/$275 in Sept 2023); each day is a separate violation, except occupancy violations count once per rental period. A special magistrate may suspend the Certificate of Compliance: 180 days on a 3rd violation, 365 days on a 4th, plus 30 days per additional violation. Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.
Recent rule changes in Fort Lauderdale
October 1, 2025material
Vacation Rental Program fee schedule overhaul (FY2026)
City commission-approved fee resolution took effect: initial registration rose from $350 to $880 (per folio, includes first inspection), non-owner-occupied renewal from $160 to $650, owner-occupied renewal from $80 to $200; $100 inspection/late fees and $50 agent transfer fee also set. The city says the increases fund inspections, monitoring software, a dedicated call center, and enforcement for a program that grew from ~320 registered rentals in 2017 to 1,300+ in 2025.
Official source →June 27, 2024
Governor vetoes SB 280 statewide vacation rental preemption bill
Gov. DeSantis vetoed CS/SB 280, which would have created a statewide registry and further preempted local vacation rental regulation. The veto left Fort Lauderdale's registration program and the existing 2011-era preemption framework (no local bans, no duration/frequency limits) fully in place.
Official source →September 19, 2023material
Ordinance C-23-34 amends vacation rental ordinance
Commission approved amendments requiring every vacation rental to have a noise level detection device (data retained 180 days and available to the city on request), raising civil penalties from $200 to $250 (uncontested) and $275 to $325 (contested), setting maximum penalties for operating during a suspension at $5,000/day for repeat violations and up to $15,000/day for irreparable/irreversible violations, and removing the 12-month cap on certificate suspensions.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in Fort Lauderdale, FL, but you must obtain a Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires a Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) to operate a short-term rental, which costs $880 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Fort Lauderdale short-term rental permit cost?
The Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) costs $880 (annual renewal). Initial registration $880 per folio (covers up to 4 units under one folio, includes 1st inspection), effective Oct 1, 2025 (previously $350). Annual renewal: $650 non-owner-occupied, $200 owner-occupied (homestead). $100 late fee for renewals after the Aug 1 deadline; renewals not completed by Sept 30 are treated as new $880 applications. $100 per additional safety inspection/reinspection/no-show; $50 rental agent transfer fee. A separate City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Receipt is also required (renewal $157.50), plus a Broward County Business Tax Receipt.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — Fort Lauderdale does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Fort Lauderdale?
Hosts in Fort Lauderdale are subject to: Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%), Broward County Discretionary Sales Surtax (1%), Broward County Tourist Development Tax (6%) — roughly 13% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Do I need insurance to run a short-term rental in Fort Lauderdale?
No city insurance requirement found. The vacation rental ordinance (Code Ch. 15, Art. X) and the city's registration document checklist do not require proof of insurance; requirements are licensing, tax accounts, safety standards, and inspection. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Fort Lauderdale?
No — in Fort Lauderdale hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Fort Lauderdale?
Violations are civil infractions: $250 per uncontested violation, $325 per contested violation (raised from $200/$275 in Sept 2023); each day is a separate violation, except occupancy violations count once per rental period. A special magistrate may suspend the Certificate of Compliance: 180 days on a 3rd violation, 365 days on a 4th, plus 30 days per additional violation. See the enforcement section on this page for full details.
›When did Fort Lauderdale's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on October 1, 2025. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
Fort Lauderdale's STR rules changed 1 time recently.
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More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale?
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- Fort Lauderdale ranks among most expensive str permit cities
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Sources
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Vacation Rental Program (background, ordinance amendment)retrieved July 11, 2026
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Vacation Rental Property Registration (process and fee schedule)retrieved July 11, 2026
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Vacation Rental Registration Renewalretrieved July 11, 2026
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Vacation Rental Enforcementretrieved July 11, 2026
- Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, Ch. 15, Art. X — Vacation Rental (Secs. 15-270 to 15-284, Municode)retrieved July 11, 2026
- Broward County — Tourist Development Taxretrieved July 11, 2026
- Florida Statutes s. 509.032 (local law preemption for vacation rentals)retrieved July 11, 2026
- Airbnb Help — Occupancy tax collection and remittance in Floridaretrieved July 11, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Fort Lauderdale and a qualified professional before operating.