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Fort Lauderdale

Florida · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-06-23  ·  Last verified: 2026-06-23  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Fort Lauderdale Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes — City Vacation Rental Registration / Certificate of Compliance required (Ordinance C-16-25, Chapter 15 Article X), plus Florida DBPR license and
Tax Rate~13% combined (6% Florida state sales tax + 6% Broward County Tourist Development Tax + ~1% surtax).
Night / Day CapNone — state law preempts frequency/duration caps; STR defined as rentals more than three times per year for periods of 30 days or less.
Minimum StayNone mandated; rentals of 30 days or less are regulated as vacation rentals.
Permit FeeInitial registration fee $350 (covers first two inspections for up to 4 units on one folio); renewal $160 non-owner-occupied / $80 owner-occupied; $75
PenaltiesCivil penalties increased under 2023 amendment; reported at ~$250 per uncontested violation and up to $15,000/day during suspension; license revocatio
Primary Residence RequiredNo — both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals are permitted (with different renewal fees).
Occupancy LimitMaximum 2 persons per legal bedroom; transient occupants must not exceed the number on the certificate of compliance. (Note: 2024 Florida law allows a
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Fort Lauderdale Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Fort Lauderdale Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — City Vacation Rental Registration / Certificate of Compliance required (Ordinance C-16-25, Chapter 15 Article X), plus Florida DBPR license and Broward County Business Tax Receipt. DBPR license . The associated permit fees are Initial registration fee $350 (covers first two inspections for up to 4 units on one folio); renewal.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Fort Lauderdale

Short-term rental operators in Fort Lauderdale should be aware of these tax obligations: ~13% combined (6% Florida state sales tax + 6% Broward County Tourist Development Tax + ~1% surtax).. Yes — Florida Dept. of Revenue sales tax registration and Broward County Tourist Development Tax registration required (or proof platform remits on ho.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Fort Lauderdale

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Fort Lauderdale include: Primary residence requirement: No — both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals are permitted (with different renewal fees).. Rental day cap: None — state law preempts frequency/duration caps; STR defined as rentals more than three times per year for periods of . Occupancy limit: Maximum 2 persons per legal bedroom; transient occupants must not exceed the number on the certificate of compliance. (N. Minimum stay: None mandated; rentals of 30 days or less are regulated as vacation rentals..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Fort Lauderdale

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Fort Lauderdale: Allowed in most zoning districts, but use of accessory dwelling units as vacation rentals is prohibited in RS-8 and RD-15 districts (per ULDR Sec. 47-19.2.A.7).. Density rules: Unknown — no density cap identified.. Insurance: Unknown — not confirmed as an explicit city mandate; tax/safety compliance is the documented focus..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Fort Lauderdale

Hosts who fail to comply with Fort Lauderdale's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Civil penalties increased under 2023 amendment; reported at ~$250 per uncontested violation and up to $15,000/day during suspension; license revocation possible. Maximum penalties set for operating wh.

Platform Obligations in Fort Lauderdale

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Fort Lauderdale: Platforms (Airbnb/Vrbo) may collect and remit state sales tax on the host's behalf; hosts can submit a tax statement/notarized letter naming the platform in lieu of separate proof..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes — City Vacation Rental Registration / Certificate of Compliance required (Ordinance C-16-25, Chapter 15 Article X), plus Florida DBPR license and Broward County Business Tax Receipt. DBPR license exempt if owner-occupied homestead renting a room only.
Tax Registration
Yes — Florida Dept. of Revenue sales tax registration and Broward County Tourist Development Tax registration required (or proof platform remits on host's behalf).
Permit Fee
Initial registration fee $350 (covers first two inspections for up to 4 units on one folio); renewal $160 non-owner-occupied / $80 owner-occupied; $75–$100 per inspection/re-inspection/no-show. Combined initial registration + inspection reported around $460.
Primary Residence Rule
No — both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals are permitted (with different renewal fees).
Night / Day Cap
None — state law preempts frequency/duration caps; STR defined as rentals more than three times per year for periods of 30 days or less.
Occupancy Limit
Maximum 2 persons per legal bedroom; transient occupants must not exceed the number on the certificate of compliance. (Note: 2024 Florida law allows alternative occupancy formulas based on square footage.)
Tax Rate
~13% combined (6% Florida state sales tax + 6% Broward County Tourist Development Tax + ~1% surtax).
Zoning Restrictions
Allowed in most zoning districts, but use of accessory dwelling units as vacation rentals is prohibited in RS-8 and RD-15 districts (per ULDR Sec. 47-19.2.A.7).
Minimum Stay
None mandated; rentals of 30 days or less are regulated as vacation rentals.
Density Rules
Unknown — no density cap identified.
Insurance Required
Unknown — not confirmed as an explicit city mandate; tax/safety compliance is the documented focus.
Platform Obligations
Platforms (Airbnb/Vrbo) may collect and remit state sales tax on the host's behalf; hosts can submit a tax statement/notarized letter naming the platform in lieu of separate proof.
Compliance Notes
State and county licenses must be obtained before the city application via the LauderBuild portal. Mandatory annual safety inspection and Certificate of Compliance. Designated 24/7 responsible party must respond on-site within one hour. Noise-monitoring device required in all rentals retaining data for 180 days (Sec. 15-276(f)); off-street parking plan may be required. Applications process in ~5 business days once accepted; pending applications closed after 30 days.
Effective Date
Amendment approved 2023-09-19 (program governed by Ordinance C-16-25).
Key Notes
Three-tier compliance: State (DBPR), County (Broward BTR + TDT), City (registration + inspection). License approval can reportedly take months.
Penalties
Civil penalties increased under 2023 amendment; reported at ~$250 per uncontested violation and up to $15,000/day during suspension; license revocation possible. Maximum penalties set for operating while under suspension.
Additional Context
Sexual-offender residency restrictions (Sec. 16-127) apply to transient occupants; quiet hours typically 10 pm–7 am.
Sources
https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/departments/sustainable-development/com…
City of Fort Lauderdale (fortlauderdale.gov) Vacation Rental Program / Ordinance C-16-25
loshaklaw.com
masterhost.ca
hometeamluxuryrentals.com
strrequirements.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Fort Lauderdale with proper registration and permits. State and county licenses must be obtained before the city application via the LauderBuild portal. Mandatory annual safety inspection and Certificate of Compliance. Designated 24/7 responsible party m

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — City Vacation Rental Registration / Certificate of Compliance required (Ordinance C-16-25, Chapter 15 Article X), plus Florida DBPR license and Broward County Business Tax Receipt. DBPR license exempt if owner-occupied homestead renting a room only..

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Fort Lauderdale?

Short-term rental hosts in Fort Lauderdale are subject to the following tax obligations: ~13% combined (6% Florida state sales tax + 6% Broward County Tourist Development Tax + ~1% surtax)..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Fort Lauderdale?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Fort Lauderdale may face enforcement. Civil penalties increased under 2023 amendment; reported at ~$250 per uncontested violation and up to $15,000/day during suspension; license revocation possible. Maximum penalties set for operating while under suspension..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Fort Lauderdale?

Three-tier compliance: State (DBPR), County (Broward BTR + TDT), City (registration + inspection). License approval can reportedly take months.

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