Wellington, FL Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances, Village of Wellington, requires every owner of one or more rental dwelling units to hold a rental dwelling unit license issued by the Department, meaning the Code Compliance Division within Wellington's Planning, Zoning and Building Department, under Section 16-4. The license must be obtained at least 15 calendar days before the unit is first rented, and a landlord who lets a property without one is subject to Chapter 16's penalty provisions. Section 16-5 requires the owner to file an application and affidavit at least annually, listing the operator's contact information, the unit's address and bedroom count, the owner's information, and any homeowners' or condominium association contact, and to swear that the owner and tenants will follow Wellington's code, including proper storage and parking rules.

Section 16-6 sets the initial license fee at $75.00 per unit, due again only if ownership changes, with renewal applications due at least 60 calendar days before October 1 each year; a late renewal draws a $37.50 penalty in October and an additional $7.50 for every month or partial month after October 31. Owners of complexes with 50 or more rental dwelling units on a single contiguous site can register as a bulk provider under Section 16-15 instead of licensing each unit, for a $1,000.00 annual registration fee.

Several categories are exempt from licensing altogether under Section 16-3, including state-licensed rentals, accessory dwellings, hotel and bed-and-breakfast rooms, employee or guest quarters, and registered vacation rentals under Article 6 of the Land Development Regulations. A rental license cannot be transferred; Section 16-11 requires written notice to the Department within 24 hours of a sale, and the new owner must apply for a fresh license within 30 days.