City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Fort Lauderdale, FL
How Fort Lauderdale regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- mandatory annual registration + certificate of compliance before renting
- mandatory safety inspection (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, pool safety, parking)
- occupancy caps (2 guests per legal sleeping room; daytime 1.5x, max 20)
- 24/7 responsible-party contact required
- noise-detection device required inside unit
- registration fees ($880 new incl. first inspection; $650/$200 renewal)
Based on: Code of Ordinances Ch. 15 Art. X (Vacation Rental); enacted by Ord. No. C-15-29, § 1, adopted 2015-08-18, effective
Summary of the rule
Code of Ordinances Ch. 15 Art. X (Vacation Rental), Sec. 15-272 registration required; original enactment Ord. No. C-15-29, § 1, adopted 2015-08-18 per the codified history note — post-2011, no supply cap or ban in the read text
Active litigation / open question
Court ruled the City could not rely on zoning to prohibit vacation rentals in residential areas where residential use is permitted (consistent with §509.032(7) preemption). Source ↗
Reported as fact only, reflecting the code as currently in effect — not legal advice, and not a prediction of the outcome. Verify current status before relying on it.
Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Fort Lauderdale · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.