Business Licensing & Operations in Fort Myers, FL (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Fort Myers, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Fort Myers requires an occupational license for adult bookstores, theaters, and performance establishments, and bans them within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other adult businesses, or 200 feet of alcohol-serving establishments.
Fort Myers Adult Entertainment License & Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 10-117
no person shall propose, cause or permit the operation of, or enlargement of, an adult entertainment establishment which, while in operation or after enlargement, would or will be located within 1,000 feet of a preexisting adult entertainment establishment, within 1,000 feet of a preexisting educational institution, within 1,000 feet of a preexisting park, or within 200 feet of a preexisting co...
Massage Establishments
Fort Myers Code § 10-33 says the city does not regulate massage establishments; that authority belongs to Florida's state Board of Massage under F.S. ch. 480.
Fort Myers Massage Establishment Licensing
Few RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 10-33
It is not the intent of the city council to legislate with respect to matters of massage establishments. These matters are regulated by state agency, the department of professional regulation, board of massage, and by F.S. ch. 480.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Fort Myers requires tattoo parlors to hold a $50 annual local business tax receipt, conditioned on approval from the zoning official, police department with background check, county health department, and city council.
Fort Myers Tattoo Parlor License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 82-205
The amount which shall be paid by the several persons engaging in or managing businesses, professions or occupations for which a local business tax receipt is required are hereby fixed per annum, unless otherwise specified, as follows: ... (437) Tattooing parlors [(a), (c) (d), (f)] 50.00
Secondhand Dealers
Fort Myers requires anyone buying, pawning, consigning, or dealing in secondhand goods to hold a city license, post a bond, and follow strict recordkeeping and holding-period rules.
Fort Myers Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 18-223
No person shall engage in the business of a secondhand dealer, pawnbroker, junk dealer or precious metals dealer in the city, whether temporarily, irregularly or continually, or whether with a fixed place of business or as an itinerant peddler, without first having obtained a license from the city pursuant to section 82-205.
Pawnbrokers
Fort Myers requires anyone operating as a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer or precious metals dealer to hold a city license before doing business, approved by city council after a police department investigation.
Fort Myers Pawnbroker License Required
Some RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 18-223
No person shall engage in the business of a secondhand dealer, pawnbroker, junk dealer or precious metals dealer in the city, whether temporarily, irregularly or continually, or whether with a fixed place of business or as an itinerant peddler, without first having obtained a license from the city pursuant to section 82-205.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Fort Myers's home business rules expressly exclude repair shops, so residents in any zoning district cannot legally operate an auto repair business out of a house or home garage.
Fort Myers Bans Home-Based Auto Repair Shops
Heavy RestrictionsFort Myers Land Development Code § 118.3.4.C.7
Home business. The following criteria shall be employed to determine a valid home business and all the conditions must be complied with as set forth below... Home businesses shall not be construed to include barbershops, beauty shops, tearooms, restaurants, dress shops, commercial kennels, dance studios, repair shops, carpet cleaning services or any other similar uses.
Towing Companies
Fort Myers requires wrecker operators to register vehicles and hold a police-issued permit before towing cars from private lots without the owner's consent.
Fort Myers Nonconsensual Towing Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Myers Code of Ordinances § 86-261
It shall be unlawful for any person, either as principal, agent, or employee, to perform any nonconsensual towing without having first registered the towing service vehicles to be used for nonconsensual towing with the police department, using a format approved by the police department. The information for registration shall contain the make, model and manufacturer's serial number of the vehicl...
Looking for Lee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Myers city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Lee County →