Short answer: Vacation rentals are legal in Fort Lauderdale, but each one needs a state license from the DBPR, Broward County tax accounts, and a city Certificate of Compliance before the first guest arrives. The city charges $880 to register, inspects the home, caps overnight guests at two per bedroom, and requires a responsible party who can be on site within an hour. YourSTRManagement offers full short-term rental management in Fort Lauderdale and helps owners through each step.
The order Fort Lauderdale makes you register in
The city's vacation rental registration page says every vacation rental must "first be licensed with the State and County" before you apply to the city. In practice that's four accounts, then the city:
- Florida DBPR vacation rental license. The state's Division of Hotels and Restaurants requires a license if you rent a whole unit more than three times a calendar year for stays under 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or if you advertise it as a place regularly rented to guests. Houses and small multifamily buildings get a Dwelling license. Condo units get a Condominium license.
- Florida Department of Revenue registration for state sales tax.
- Broward County Business Tax Receipt.
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax account.
- City application through LauderBuild, with proof of ownership, a rental agreement that includes the ordinance language, and a sketch or photo of the off-street parking marked "No on-street parking permitted."
If Airbnb or another platform remits the state or county tax for you, the city accepts a tax statement or a notarized letter that names the tax.
Fees, inspection and renewal
Registration costs $880 for up to four units under one folio and includes the first inspection. A reinspection or no-show costs $100, and changing the rental agent costs $50. After you pay, a code officer contacts you within three business days to book the inspection. The certificate is issued within three business days of a pass. The home can't take guests until the certificate is issued.
The city's 2026 inspection checklist is stricter than most owners expect:
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be interconnected and hard-wired. Battery and wireless systems fail.
- A 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher on each level, serviced every year.
- An evacuation map at least 8.5 by 11 inches next to each bedroom door.
- A working landline that can call 911.
- A noise-level detection device, with its data kept for 180 days.
- Posted notices covering quiet hours, parking, trash days, the nearest hospital and the police non-emergency number.
- Pool barriers that meet Chapter 515 of Florida Statutes, plus at least one extra safety feature such as an alarm or a safety cover.
Every certificate expires September 30. Under the ordinance, renewals are due at least 60 days before that date, and a renewal filed after September 30 is treated as a new application.
Occupancy, parking and the one-hour rule
The rules sit in Chapter 15, Article X of the city code. The current text is in Ordinance C-26-39:
- Two overnight guests per sleeping room, confirmed at inspection. Up to four children under 13 don't count.
- Gatherings can't exceed one and a half times the overnight limit, and never more than 20 people.
- All guest vehicles park in the driveway on the property.
- The responsible party must be reachable 24 hours a day, respond in person within one hour, keep a guest register, and inspect the home after every stay.
- The certificate is posted by the main entrance with the responsible party's name and phone number and the maximum occupancy.
On September 15, 2026 the City Commission approved changes to the ordinance. Per the city's program page, operating without a valid certificate now carries a $1,000 civil penalty per day, and the daily penalty for an expired certificate went from $250 to $1,000. A complete renewal filed on time is protected while the city processes it. Check with the city before you apply, since the code has changed twice in recent years.
Taxes on a Fort Lauderdale stay
Florida charges 6% state sales tax on rentals of six months or less, and Broward adds a 1% discretionary surtax (DR-15DSS). Broward County runs its own 6% tourist development tax (DR-15TDT), and you file it with the county, not the state. Airbnb's Florida tax page says it collects the state tax, the surtax and Broward's 6% tax on reservations of 182 nights or shorter. Bookings from other channels are on you, and Broward still expects a return for each period through its tourist tax portal.
What brings guests to Fort Lauderdale
Cruise traffic is the steadiest driver. Port Everglades reports over 4.7 million cruise passengers in fiscal year 2025, and many arrive a night early. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is close to the port and the beach. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show ran October 28 to November 1 in 2026 and says it draws over 100,000 attendees. Las Olas Boulevard and the beach fill the rest of the calendar.
How we help Fort Lauderdale owners
We walk you through the DBPR, county and city steps in order and get the home ready for the checklist items that fail inspections. Ask us how we cover the one-hour response rule for your address before you sign anything. Once the certificate is issued, we handle the listing, pricing, guest messages, screening, cleaning, repairs and monthly statements. See our services for the full list. Our standard fee is 15% of booking revenue.
We've hosted 8,000+ stays over 5 years with a 4.8 star average rating, and we carry $1M in liability coverage and $100K in damage coverage. Our Miami and South Florida page covers the wider market. To talk about a specific home, contact us or call (689) 407-2095. We reply within one day.