Fort Lauderdale is one of the strongest vacation rental markets in South Florida — consistent demand year-round, a steady stream of spring breakers, boating tourists, and business travelers. But the city runs a tight compliance program, and getting caught operating without a license is expensive.
This is the complete 2026 guide to getting your vacation rental license in Fort Lauderdale, FL. If you'd rather skip the process entirely, our team handles it start to finish.
What Counts as a Short-Term Rental in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale defines a short-term rental as any residential dwelling rented for periods of less than 30 consecutive days. The city requires registration for all STRs operating within city limits, regardless of how often they are rented.
Fort Lauderdale is one of Florida's most active enforcement cities. Code compliance officers actively monitor platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for unlicensed listings.
What Licenses Do You Need?
- Florida DBPR License — Required by the state for any property rented more than 3 times per year for stays under 6 months. Issued by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
- City of Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rental Certificate — A local registration certificate issued by the city's Development Services Department.
- Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — Required from the City of Fort Lauderdale before operating commercially.
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax Registration — Required to collect and remit the county tourist tax.
Step-by-Step: Getting Licensed in Fort Lauderdale
- Apply for your DBPR license at myfloridalicense.com. Select the correct property type: Vacation Rental (Single Family) or Vacation Rental (Condo).
- Schedule your DBPR inspection. An inspector will visit the property to verify fire safety, habitability, and code compliance.
- Apply for the City Vacation Rental Certificate through Fort Lauderdale's Development Services. You will need your DBPR license number, property information, and owner details.
- Obtain your Business Tax Receipt from the City of Fort Lauderdale.
- Register for Broward County TDT through the County Revenue Collection Division.
- Post required notices inside the unit — maximum occupancy, emergency contacts, noise rules, trash rules, and parking information.
Safety Requirements
Fort Lauderdale requires all vacation rentals to meet Florida residential building codes. Inspectors check for:
- Smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway
- Carbon monoxide detectors where gas appliances are present
- Fire extinguisher on each level of the property
- GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens
- Pool barrier fencing with self-latching gates (if pool is present)
- Adequate egress from all sleeping areas
Tax Obligations in Fort Lauderdale
- Broward County Tourist Development Tax: 6% of gross rental revenue
- Florida State Sales Tax: 6%
- Broward County Discretionary Surtax: 1%
Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit these taxes in Broward County for most hosts. You must still maintain an active TDT registration account with the county.
Occupancy Limits and Guest Rules
Fort Lauderdale enforces a maximum occupancy of two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests. A 3-bedroom home can host up to 8 guests. This limit must be posted inside the property and reflected in your listing.
The city also has strict noise ordinances. Guests violating noise rules can result in fines that are attributed to the property owner.
Penalties for Operating Without a License
- Operating without a city certificate: Fines starting at $500 per day
- DBPR first violation: $500 fine
- DBPR repeat violations: Up to $1,000 per violation plus potential license suspension
- Unlicensed operation: Platform listings can be reported and removed
Realistic Timeline: Fort Lauderdale
Full licensing in Fort Lauderdale typically takes 4 to 6 weeks when managing the process yourself. DBPR inspection scheduling is usually the main delay.
Our team runs the DBPR application, city certificate, BTR, and TDT registration simultaneously — cutting the timeline significantly.
Get Your Fort Lauderdale STR License Handled For You
Fort Lauderdale's licensing process involves four separate agencies. Most hosts spend weeks navigating the paperwork before their first guest checks in.
We handle every step — from DBPR application to city certificate to tax registration — so you can focus on hosting, not bureaucracy.
Contact us today and we'll get your Fort Lauderdale vacation rental fully licensed.
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