Short-Term Rental Regulations · South Florida
Is Fort Lauderdale short-term-rental friendly?
Permitted, with local rules
Yes in most cities, with local registration. Fort Lauderdale requires state and county licenses before city registration and inspection, and nearby cities run their own programs. Fees, occupancy limits, and minimum stays differ by city, including a 7-day minimum for single-family homes in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Vero Beach and Delray Beach need extra confirmation with the city.
Last updated: . Every fact links to its official source.
Town-by-town rules
| Town | Permit required? | Annual cost | Primary-residence / night-cap limits | Lodging tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | Annual residential rental registration is required effective January 1, 2026, including short-term rentals. (City of Cape Coral rental property registration (opens in a new tab)) | Short-term residential rental registration is $350 annually per property effective January 1, 2026. (City of Cape Coral rental property registration (opens in a new tab)) | The city registration FAQ sets a six-night minimum stay. No residency requirement or permit cap was found, though registration does not replace checking other property restrictions. (Cape Coral rental registration FAQ (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Lee County tourist development tax of 5%. The county clerk also lists state-administered sales tax plus surtax at 6.5%, which includes the 6% state base; do not add that 6.5% again to the state base. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Lee County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Deerfield Beach | A city business tax receipt is required before engaging in business, and the vacation rental application packet requires state and county licensing documents. (City of Deerfield Beach vacation rental application packet (opens in a new tab)) | The undated official application packet lists $32.55 for vacation-rental business-tax classification 6513V and also requires a county BTR. Treat $32.55 as one dated line item, not the current total cost, and confirm the full charge with the city. (Deerfield Beach vacation rental application packet (opens in a new tab)) | A residency cap was not identified on the cited page. (City of Deerfield Beach vacation rental application packet (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Delray Beach | The city requires a Business Tax Receipt before starting a business inside city limits. Confirm any vacation-rental zoning or permit requirements with the city separately. (Delray Beach business tax receipt requirements (opens in a new tab)) | The cited page did not verify a current short-term rental-specific fee. (City of Delray Beach business tax receipts (opens in a new tab)) | A residency cap was not identified on the cited page. (City of Delray Beach business tax receipts (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Palm Beach County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Palm Beach County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Fort Lauderdale | Every vacation rental must first obtain state and county licenses and then complete city registration and inspection. (City of Fort Lauderdale vacation rental registration (opens in a new tab)) | Registration up to four units under one folio, including the first inspection, is $880. Additional inspection, reinspection, or no-show fees are $100. (City of Fort Lauderdale vacation rental registration (opens in a new tab)) | No primary-residence requirement or annual rental-night cap was found in the cited materials. Maximum occupancy is based on legal bedrooms at two persons per bedroom. (City of Fort Lauderdale vacation rental registration (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Fort Myers Beach | The Town operates an annual short-term rental registration program. (Town of Fort Myers Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | For the 2027 renewal cycle, the standard fee is $400 per unit, approved condominium opt-out is $600 per eligible building or STRAP number, and eligible grandfathered registration is $50 per property. Applications run November 15 through December 15, 2026. (Town of Fort Myers Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | A residency cap was not identified on the cited page. (Town of Fort Myers Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Lee County tourist development tax of 5%. The county clerk also lists state-administered sales tax plus surtax at 6.5%, which includes the 6% state base; do not add that 6.5% again to the state base. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Lee County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Lauderdale-by-the-Sea | A vacation rental or short-term rental certificate and Business Tax Receipt are required for regulated property types. (Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea application package (opens in a new tab)) | The April 2, 2025 official package lists a $775 certificate fee, $75 fire-inspection fee, and $6 BTR for a single-family vacation rental. Additional-unit certificate fees differ. Confirm 2026 amounts with the town. (Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea application package (opens in a new tab)) | Single-family vacation rentals have a 7-day minimum stay. Multifamily short-term rentals have separate rules and may allow stays under 7 days. (Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea application package (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Oakland Park | The city requires short-term rental registration and supporting state, county, and local tax documents. (City of Oakland Park short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | The city program page lists $500 initial registration, $250 annual renewal, and $150 inspection or reinspection, labeled amended September 22, 2021. A newer city fee booklet took effect October 1, 2026, so confirm these amounts against it. (Oakland Park STR program fee table (opens in a new tab), Oakland Park FY27 fee booklet (opens in a new tab)) | No primary-residence requirement or annual rental-night cap was found in the cited materials. Maximum occupancy is two persons per bedroom and eight persons total. (City of Oakland Park short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Pompano Beach | A short-term rental application, state license, inspection, and local approval process are required. (City of Pompano Beach short-term rental requirements (opens in a new tab)) | Initial application fee is $675 for a single-family home or duplex and $750 for a triplex or quadplex. Annual renewal is $375. The source was modified July 16, 2026. (City of Pompano Beach short-term rental requirements (opens in a new tab)) | A residency cap was not identified on the cited page. (City of Pompano Beach short-term rental requirements (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Sunny Isles Beach | A separate Short-Term Vacation Rental License is required for each multifamily unit and must be renewed annually. (City of Sunny Isles Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | The city lists a $100 local business tax receipt and $300 vacation rental license. A $50 late payment fee applies. (City of Sunny Isles Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Maximum occupancy is two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per property, capped at 12 persons, excluding children under three years old. This is an occupancy limit, not proof of a residency requirement or numerical permit cap. (City of Sunny Isles Beach short-term rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus 6% in Miami-Dade local transient rental taxes: 3% convention development, 2% tourist development, and 1% professional sports franchise tax. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Miami-Dade transient rental taxes (opens in a new tab)) |
| Vero Beach | The city has published materials on regulating short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods, but its current zoning and permit rule was not found. A county vacation-rental permit does not on its own authorize a rental inside city limits, so confirm with the city. (Vero Beach official 2020 STR legislative document (opens in a new tab)) | No current city STR fee was found. (Vero Beach official 2020 STR legislative document (opens in a new tab)) | A residency cap was not identified on the cited page. (Vero Beach official 2020 STR legislative document (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Indian River County tourist development tax of 5%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Indian River County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Wellington | Each vacation rental unit requires a Vacation Rental Special Use Permit and annual Business Tax Receipt. (Village of Wellington vacation rentals (opens in a new tab)) | The Vacation Rental Special Use Permit fee is $600 per unit. The source does not state the separate BTR amount. (Village of Wellington vacation rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Maximum overnight occupancy is two persons per bedroom, excluding children under three. (Village of Wellington vacation rentals (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Palm Beach County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Palm Beach County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
| Wilton Manors | The city requires a Vacation Rental Certificate of Compliance if the owner does not live in the home. (Wilton Manors vacation rental requirements (opens in a new tab)) | The city's January 26, 2023 vacation-rental application lists a $375 new-registration fee including first inspections. The city also links a newer fee schedule, so confirm the current amount. (Wilton Manors dated vacation-rental application (opens in a new tab), Wilton Manors fee-schedule gateway (opens in a new tab)) | The Certificate of Compliance applies when the owner does not live in the home. A manager must respond to emergencies within one hour, and parking is limited to one vehicle per bedroom, not on grass. No numeric permit cap was found. (Wilton Manors vacation rental requirements (opens in a new tab)) | Florida state sales tax is 6%, plus Broward County tourist development tax of 6%. This is not a combined total, and a county surtax may also apply. (Florida Department of Revenue local option transient rental tax rates (opens in a new tab), Florida Department of Revenue discretionary sales surtax (opens in a new tab), Broward County tourist development tax (opens in a new tab)) |
"Not found" means the restriction was not located in the linked official materials reviewed as of the update date. It does not prove that no later, uncodified, parcel-specific, or special-district rule applies.
Good to know
- Cape Coral: Cape Coral sets its own rules. Broward and Palm Beach rules do not apply. (City of Cape Coral rental property registration (opens in a new tab))
- Deerfield Beach: City and county business tax requirements are separate. (City of Deerfield Beach vacation rental application packet (opens in a new tab))
- Delray Beach: Confirm whether additional zoning or vacation-rental rules apply to the exact address. (City of Delray Beach business tax receipts (opens in a new tab))
- Fort Lauderdale: The city requires state, county, and city steps in sequence. (City of Fort Lauderdale vacation rental registration (opens in a new tab))
- Fort Myers Beach: The official notice lists $400 standard, $600 opt-out, and $50 grandfathered fees as 2027 renewals, with applications November 15 through December 15, 2026. Confirm the parcel rental-zoning category and 2026 compliance separately. (Fort Myers Beach official STR notice (opens in a new tab))
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: The fee package is dated April 2, 2025, so fees may have changed. (Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea application package (opens in a new tab))
- Oakland Park: The fee amendments on the city page date from September 22, 2021, so fees may have changed. (City of Oakland Park short-term rentals (opens in a new tab))
- Pompano Beach: The city's fee source was last modified July 16, 2026. (City of Pompano Beach short-term rental requirements (opens in a new tab))
- Sunny Isles Beach: The city requires Miami-Dade tourist/convention tax registration and a locally available responsible party able to respond in person within one hour. Licenses are unit-specific and not transferable to a new owner. (Sunny Isles Beach STR requirements (opens in a new tab))
- Vero Beach: The official city document concerns municipal authority over STRs in single-family neighborhoods. County tourist-tax collection is separate from city land-use permission; obtain an address-specific city determination. (Vero Beach official STR legislative document (opens in a new tab))
- Wellington: The permit is not currently required to be renewed and is not transferable, according to the city page. (Village of Wellington vacation rentals (opens in a new tab))
- Wilton Manors: A manager must be able to respond to emergency situations within one hour, and the property remains subject to city noise and other codes. (Wilton Manors vacation rental requirements (opens in a new tab))
FAQ
Do Fort Lauderdale rules apply in nearby cities?
No. Each city or town controls its own licensing and zoning.
What is the Fort Lauderdale registration fee?
$880 covers registration up to four units under one folio and the first inspection. Additional inspections are $100.
Which local tax is shown for Broward locations?
Broward County tourist development tax is 6%, in addition to Florida state sales tax and applicable surtax.
Are fees the same in every city?
No. Fort Lauderdale charges $880 for registration and the first inspection, Pompano Beach charges $675 or $750 to apply, and other cities set their own amounts. Some published fees are dated, so confirm the current amount with the city.
General information, not legal advice. Short-term rental rules change, so verify current requirements with the jurisdiction before listing.