Short-Term Rentals in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
7 verified short-term rentals rules for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Fort Lauderdale requires every single-family through four-family dwelling rented to transient occupants for periods under 30 days to register annually as a vacation rental and obtain a city Certificate of Compliance before it may be advertised or occupied.
Vacation Rental Registration + Certificate of Compliance
Heavy RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-272(a), (c) (Ord. No. C-15-29, Sec. 1, 8-18-2015; C-23-34, 9-19-23)
It is unlawful for any person to allow another person to occupy any residential property that is a single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family house or dwelling unit as a vacation rental within the city, or offer such property for rent as a vacation rental within the city, unless the owner of the property in fee simple title or his or her authorized representative has registered the...
Noise Rules
Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals must be equipped with a noise-detection device (data kept 180 days), post a strict audibility-based quiet-hours notice, and park all rental-associated vehicles within an on-site driveway.
Noise Monitor Required; Parking On-Site in Driveway Only
Heavy RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-278(5)a, (12) (Ord. No. C-15-29; C-23-34, 9-19-23)
A statement advising the occupant that any sound shall not be plainly audible for a period of one (1) minute or longer at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet or more when measured from the source property line between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily and at a distance of fifty (50) feet or more when measured from the source property line between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. ...
Taxes & Fees
Vacation rental registration in Fort Lauderdale carries a non-refundable fee set by city commission resolution, and a certificate of compliance will not issue until the owner also holds a Florida Department of Revenue tax registration for tourist development and sales tax and a DBPR transient lodging license. Registrations expire every September 30, with late fees for renewals filed inside the final 60 days.
Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rental Fees and Taxes
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-274, Sec. 15-281 (Vacation Rental Fees and Renewal)
Sec. 15-274: The city charges reasonable fees for registration to compensate for administrative expenses. The fees for registration shall be provided for, from time to time, by resolution adopted by the city commission of the city. Fees are non-refundable. ... Sec. 15-281(a): All registrations for which a certificate of compliance has been issued under the provisions of this article shall be va...
Occupancy Limits
Fort Lauderdale caps overnight vacation-rental occupancy at two persons per sleeping room (verified by city inspection) and limits gatherings to 1.5 times the overnight maximum, never exceeding 20 persons.
Two Occupants Per Sleeping Room; Gatherings Capped at 20
Heavy RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-278(2) (Ord. No. C-15-29; C-16-25; C-23-34)
Maximum occupancy. a. The maximum number of transient occupants authorized to stay overnight at any vacation rental shall be limited to two (2) persons per sleeping room. The number of sleeping rooms shall be confirmed by on-site inspection by a representative of the city, and b. The maximum number of persons allowed to gather at or occupy a vacation rental shall not exceed one and one-half (1 ...
Night Caps
Fort Lauderdale does not cap nights, length, or frequency of vacation rental stays. Under Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b), only ordinances adopted on or before June 1, 2011 may regulate the duration or frequency of rentals. Fort Lauderdale's vacation rental ordinance (C-15-29) was enacted in 2015 and is therefore preempted on stay limits.
Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rental Night Caps
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 509.032(7)
(7)  PREEMPTION AUTHORITY. — (a)  The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitation standards, inspections, training and testing of personnel, and matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments, is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not ...
Repeat Violator Strikes
A third vacation-rental violation triggers a 180-day certificate suspension in Fort Lauderdale, a fourth triggers 365 days, and every violation after that adds 30 more days with no cap. A special magistrate imposes the suspension under Code Sec. 15-282(d).
Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rental Repeat Suspensions
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-282(d) (Ord. No. C-16-25, Sec. 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. C-23-34, Sec. 1, 9-19-23)
(d)Suspension of vacation rental certificate of compliance. In addition to any fines and any other remedies described herein or provided for by law, a special magistrate may suspend a vacation rental certificate of compliance in accordance with the following:(1)Suspension time frames.a.Upon a third violation of this article the vacation rental certificate shall be suspended for a period of one ...
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Broward County →