Cape Coral, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Cape Coral, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Registration Fee
- $35 one-time per property
- Units
- Required for 4 or fewer unit properties
- Local Contact
- 24/7 contact required
- State License
- FL DBPR vacation rental license required
- Minimum Stay
- 7-day minimum in some areas
Summary
All residential rental properties with 4 or fewer units in Cape Coral must register with the city under a 2021 ordinance. One-time registration fee of $35 per property. All STRs also require a Florida DBPR vacation rental license. Owners must designate a local contact person available 24/7.
(7) PREEMPTION AUTHORITY. — (a) The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitation standards, inspections, training and testing of personnel, and matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments, is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not preempt the authority of a local government or local enforcement district to conduct inspections of public lodging and public food service establishments for compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, pursuant to ss. 553.80 and 633.206 .
(b) A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011.
(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation exclusively relating to property valuation as a criterion for vacation rental if the local law, ordinance, or regulation is required to be approved by the state land planning agency pursuant to an area of critical state concern designation.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Cape Coral passed its rental property registration ordinance in 2021. Cape Coral also prohibits rentals shorter than 7 days in some areas, though enforcement varies. FL §509.032(7)(b) preempts bans on vacation rental frequency/duration. A homestead exemption may be affected if the property is rented more than 30 days/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Cape Coral?
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Cape Coral?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cape Coral
How Cape Coral compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Cape Coral to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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