Rental Property Rules in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Just Cause Eviction
Fort Lauderdale does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 83, Part II). The 2023 Live Local Act (HB 1417, codified at Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444) preempted local tenant-protection ordinances exceeding state law. Landlords must give a 3-day written notice for non-payment (Sec. 83.56) and 30 days' notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies (Sec. 83.57). Self-help evictions are prohibited under Sec. 83.67.
Fort Lauderdale Just Cause Eviction
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 83.425
83.425  Preemption. — The regulation of residential tenancies, the landlord-tenant relationship, and all other matters covered under this part are preempted to the state. This section supersedes any local government regulations on matters covered under this part, including, but not limited to, the screening process used by a landlord in approving tenancies; security deposits; rent...
Rental Registration
Fort Lauderdale requires landlords of non-owner-occupied residential rentals to register with the Development Services Department under the Landlord Registration Program, Code ch. 9, art. XI, so the city has current contact information for health, safety and housing complaints.
Fort Lauderdale Landlord Registration Program
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-360 (Ord. No. C-21-02, § 1, 1-21-21)
This article establishes the "Landlord Registration Program." The purpose of the Program is to create a registry of current and accurate information required to contact a landlord or responsible person regarding health or safety violations, minimum housing code complaints, or emergencies at residential rental units.
Repairs & Habitability
Fort Lauderdale landlords cannot occupy, permit occupancy of, or let out any dwelling unit or hotel/rooming unit that isn't clean, sanitary, safe and fit for human habitation, under the Minimum Housing Code's core standard in Code ch. 9, art. VI.
Fort Lauderdale Rental Habitability Standard
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-276(a)
The owner shall not occupy, permit another to occupy, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling, dwelling unit or hotel or rooming unit that is not clean, sanitary, safe and fit for human habitation.
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Broward County →