Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance), and the fee is $880. 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.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Fort Lauderdale?

The Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) fee in Fort Lauderdale 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.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale requires Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) — the fee is $880, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance)
Permit fee	$880
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. 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.
2
Apply for the Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance)
Submit the Vacation Rental Registration (Certificate of Compliance) application to Fort Lauderdale and pay the $880 fee. 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.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Fort Lauderdale. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Fort Lauderdale changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 13, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Fort Lauderdale before applying.

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