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.
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 | 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. |
| 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 annual.
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. 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. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying.
- 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 (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. 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 annual (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. 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. 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.
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 every year. 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.
›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. 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. 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.
Fort Lauderdale's STR rules changed 1 time recently.
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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.