ADU Rental Restrictions: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Cape Coral generally prohibits renting guest houses on standard residential lots and limits true ADU rentals to the Residential Estate district where the unit was permitted as a dwelling. Short-term vacation rentals of less than 30 days are subject to Cape Coral's vacation rental registration program and the statewide preemption framework in Florida Statute 509.032(7). The city cannot ban short-term rentals outright but can require registration, parking, and occupancy compliance.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
No data available yet for Fort Myers.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Guest House Rental | Prohibited in standard R1 zones | - |
| ADU Rental (RE zone) | Permitted; STR needs registration | - |
| State Preemption | Fla. Stat. 509.032(7) | - |
| STR Definition | Less than 30 days, 3+ times per year | - |
| State License | DBPR per Fla. Stat. 509.241 | - |
| Local Registration | Annual STR registration with the city | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Can I rent my Cape Coral guest house on Airbnb?
Generally no if it sits on a standard R1 lot without a full kitchen and permitting as a separate dwelling unit. Renting a guest house that was permitted only as accessory non-rentable space is a code violation. A true ADU in the RE district can be short-term rented if registered with the city and DBPR.
Can Cape Coral ban my short-term rental?
No. Florida Statute 509.032(7) preempts cities from outlawing short-term rentals or limiting their frequency or duration. Cape Coral can require registration, charge fees, and enforce noise, parking, and occupancy rules, but cannot prohibit the rental itself.
Fort Myers FAQ
No FAQs available.
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