Fort Lauderdale, FL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

The occupancy rule sits in Sec. 15-278(2) of the Code of Ordinances, in the vacation rental article of Chapter 15. That article covers any single-family, two-family, three-family or four-family house or dwelling unit rented to transient occupants more than 3 times in a calendar year for periods under 30 days, plus any unit advertised as a place regularly rented to transient occupants. The occupancy rule has three parts: subsection a. limits overnight stays, subsection b. limits how many people can be on the property at once, and subsection c. exempts some children from both counts.

The overnight limit is 2 persons per sleeping room. Sec. 15-271 defines a sleeping room as a room or space within a dwelling unit primarily designed and used or intended for sleeping, and the definition excludes living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers, connecting corridors, closets and storage space. The city does not take the owner's word for the count. Sec. 15-278(2)a. says the number of sleeping rooms is confirmed by on-site inspection by a representative of the city, and Sec. 15-279 requires an inspection before the initial certificate of compliance is issued and again every year after that. The resulting maximum goes on the certificate of compliance, which must be posted on the back of or next to the interior of the main entrance door, and Sec. 15-278(7) requires all advertising to conform to the certificate, particularly as to maximum occupancy.

The gathering cap in subsection b. is measured against the overnight maximum shown on that certificate. The number of persons allowed to gather at or occupy the rental cannot exceed one and one-half (1 ½) times the overnight maximum, and in no event can a gathering exceed 20 persons, so the 20-person ceiling takes over once the multiplier would produce a higher number. Subsection b. does not apply to an owner-occupied vacation rental when the property owner is physically present on the site during the gathering. Sec. 15-271 defines owner-occupied as a vacation rental that is the primary and permanent residence of the owner.

Subsection c. exempts up to 4 persons under 13 years of age from the limits in subsections a. and b. Because the exemption stops at 4, any further children under 13 count like every other occupant. Raising the limit later is a formal step: Sec. 15-273(c) requires a modification application when the number of bedrooms or the maximum occupancy changes, and the owner must notify the city within 10 days of completing the work.