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Is Airbnb legal in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

Legal with a $880 city registration, no night cap. Fort Lauderdale allows whole-home investor rentals through its Vacation Rental Registration Program. A new registration costs $880 including the first safety inspection, and renewal is $650 a year for non-owner-occupied properties. Occupancy is capped at two guests per legal bedroom, and condo HOAs are the most common dealbreaker.

Showing the researched rules for Fort Lauderdale, FL below. Type your Fort Lauderdale address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Legal with a $880 city registration, no night cap

Fort Lauderdale allows whole-home investor rentals through its Vacation Rental Registration Program. A new registration costs $880 including the first safety inspection, and renewal is $650 a year for non-owner-occupied properties. Occupancy is capped at two guests per legal bedroom, and condo HOAs are the most common dealbreaker.

Permit and costs

Permit
Vacation Rental Registration Certificate
Issued by
City of Fort Lauderdale
Cost
$880 new (includes inspection), $650/yr renewal non-owner-occupied
Renewal
Annual, expires September 30

Key limits

Night cap
None
Occupancy
Two guests per legal bedroom
Parking
No on-street guest parking allowed
Units covered
One registration covers up to four units under one property folio

Taxes

State sales tax
6%
County tourist tax
Set by Broward County, check the current rate

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Line up state and county first
    The city requires the Florida DBPR license, a Broward County business tax receipt, and county tourist tax registration before it accepts your application.
  2. 2
    Apply for the city certificate
    File the Vacation Rental Registration application, pay $880, and pass the city safety inspection.
  3. 3
    Keep it current
    Renew annually by the August 1 deadline to avoid being treated as a new applicant and paying the full $880 again.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Most condo buildings ban rentals under 30 days in their governing documents, which Florida law lets them enforce.
Fines are steep
The city can fine $1,000 per day for operating without a valid certificate.

Sources

BNBCalc Fort Lauderdale STR guide 2026 · Fort Lauderdale vacation rental due diligence (SoFlo Home Listings)

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.