Do I need to register my vacation rental with the City of Fort Lauderdale?

Yes: Fort Lauderdale requires one- to four-unit residential properties and condominiums advertised for stays of 30 days or less to transient guests (timeshares excluded) to register and hold a city Certificate of Compliance. As of 2026, registration costs $880 for up to four units under one folio, and a September 2026 amendment set a $1,000-per-day civil penalty for operating without a valid certificate. Fort Lauderdale requires registration for one- to four-unit homes and condos advertised for stays of 30 days or less. State DBPR licensing and state sales tax, Broward business tax and tourist tax registrations come before the city application. As of 2026, the city registration fee is $880, and inspections or reinspections cost $100. Occupancy is capped at two persons per legal bedroom. Operating without a valid certificate can cost $1,000 per day under the September 2026 amendment.

Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rental Registration Rules

Which rentals have to register?

The city's Vacation Rental Program covers residential houses or dwelling units with one to four units, plus condominiums, that are advertised for stays of 30 days or less to transient occupants; timeshares are excluded. The program is governed by Ordinance No. C-26-39 and Article X of Chapter 15 of the city code, which set minimum housing standards for these rentals.

State law shapes what cities can do. Section 509.032(7)(b), Florida Statutes, says a local law "may not prohibit vacation rentals" or regulate the duration or frequency of rentals, except for local rules adopted on or before June 1, 2011. Fort Lauderdale's program focuses on registration, inspections and occupancy limits.[1][3]

What do you need before applying to the city?

The city requires state and county registrations first, in this order:

A state license from the Florida DBPR (a homestead, owner-occupied property renting only a room is exempt with a notarized letter or DBPR statement).
Florida Department of Revenue sales tax registration, or a statement showing your booking platform collects and remits the tax.
A Broward County Business Tax Receipt.
Broward County Tourist Development Tax registration, or a platform statement.
Proof of ownership from the Broward County Property Appraiser (a notarized authorization letter if the applicant is not the owner; Sunbiz records for company-owned property).
A sample guest lease with the ordinance-required information and a sketch or photo of off-street parking stating "No on-street parking permitted."[2]

How do fees, inspections and occupancy limits work?

Applications go through the city's LauderBuild portal. Incomplete applications are rejected, missing items must be resubmitted within 10 business days, and applications left pending more than 30 days after notice are closed. Processing takes about five business days after acceptance.

A code officer contacts you within three business days to schedule the inspection. A failed inspection is re-inspected in 10 days, and a Certificate of Compliance is issued within three business days of passing. Maximum occupancy is two persons per bedroom, based on legal bedrooms verified by the inspector.

Registration (up to four units under one folio, including the first inspection): $880
Inspection, reinspection or no-show: $100
Transfer of rental agent: $50
City Business Tax: invoiced separately after approval[2]

What changed in 2026?

On September 15, 2026, the City Commission approved an amendment that sets a civil penalty of $1,000 per day for advertising, renting or operating a vacation rental without a valid Certificate of Compliance, and raises the penalty for operating with an expired certificate from $250 to $1,000 per day. Owners who submit complete, timely renewals are protected if the only delay is city processing.

The city says renewals can take about 10 to 12 business days during the August to September peak, and accounts that are not renewed are closed six months after the certificate expires. Condominium and HOA documents can add their own leasing rules, so review them and consult a Florida real estate attorney before you list a property.[1][2]

Key takeaways

Fort Lauderdale requires registration for one- to four-unit homes and condos advertised for stays of 30 days or less.
State DBPR licensing and state sales tax, Broward business tax and tourist tax registrations come before the city application.
As of 2026, the city registration fee is $880, and inspections or reinspections cost $100.
Occupancy is capped at two persons per legal bedroom.
Operating without a valid certificate can cost $1,000 per day under the September 2026 amendment.

Sources

Reviewed October 11, 2026. General real-estate information for Florida, not legal, tax, lending or insurance advice. Laws, rates and deadlines change — confirm property-specific facts with the agency cited, a Florida real-estate attorney, CPA or licensed insurance agent.