Bonita Springs, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)

Section 12-109(g) sits in the Rental Permit Ordinance and applies to the exterior of each rental unit, transient or long-term. The listed conditions are declared a public nuisance that the landlord and tenant must correct immediately. First, no parking area for residential use can be leased, rented or otherwise provided for consideration to someone not residing on the property. Second, access must come from an approved or existing legal driveway connection. Third, all unpaved parking areas must be graveled or covered with erosion preventing material that clearly defines the driveway parking area, with side borders of plants, landscape ties, pressure treated wood, brick or concrete or similar materials. Fourth, unless exempted under § 34-171, the driveway parking area cannot exceed 18 feet at the point it enters the street, or 30 percent of the total front yard area, whichever is greater, so at least 70 percent of the front yard stays unpaved open greenspace that cannot be used to park vehicles. Circular driveway parking areas can reach 40 percent of front yard open space if the necessary driveway connections are allowed and the circular drive extends to the right-of-way.

The companion rules in Chapter 34 add detail. Section 34-170(d) requires a minimum four feet width of hard surface material along paved city streets as a driveway apron, and allows the driveway to be three feet wider on each side where it meets the pavement without counting that area. Driveways built before October 1, 2005 are valid nonconforming uses that cannot be extended or enlarged. Section 34-171(a) lets the city manager exempt a property when the driveway is clearly defined, safe, sanitary and neat, does not contribute to soil erosion, and the limits would impose an inordinate burden because of topography, road configuration or other design constraints. An exemption decision can be appealed to the city council in writing within 15 days. Owners of nonowner-occupied rentals with driveways built after October 1, 2005 must submit a parking plan with the rental permit application and come into compliance before the permit issues. Section 34-172(6) also prohibits parking any motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, mobile home, commercial vehicle, trailer, boat or vessel on any right-of-way.