November 11, 2024
Got a sweet spot in Fort Myers, Florida, you'd like to rent out? Before you dive in, there are a few hoops you'll need to jump through to keep everything above board. Here's the scoop on what you need to know about the world of vacation rental licenses in Florida.
If you're looking to rent your place out more than a handful of times a year—say, more than thrice for visits under a month—you'll need to brush up on Florida's rules. The state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the gatekeeper here. They're the folks who make sure all vacation rentals meet safety and legal standards.
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Skipping this step can land you in hot water with fines. Don't think listing your place on Airbnb gets you a free pass from these rules (iGMS).
Now, as if state regs aren't enough to keep you busy, Fort Myers has its own playbook. Lee County and the Town of Fort Myers Beach have their own set of rules, too. In 2018, Fort Myers Beach put a ring on it with Ordinance 18-01, locking in their registration process (BNBCalc).
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Once you're on the books, there's a bit more red tape. Pay those fees and mind local rules, or you'll be saying hello to some fines.
RequirementMore InfoRental FrequencyMore than three times a year for visits <30 daysAdvertisingPromote as open to visitorsState LicenseHandle through the Department of Business & Professional RegulationLocal HandshakeRegister with Lee County and follow Ordinance 18-01FeesPay up for licenses and registration
Got your sights set on Fort Myers? We've got a how-to guide just for that.
Venturing beyond Fort Myers? Catch up on other Florida locales:
Get your ducks in a row with these need-to-know points and snag that peace of mind that your vacation rental is playing by the rules.
Getting a Fort Myers short-term rental license might seem like jumping through hoops, but once you get the hang of the city's rules, it's all smooth sailing. Here's the skinny on how to stay on the right side of the law when renting out your place.
In Fort Myers, if you want to rent your property short-term, you've got to play by the rules. These aren't just bureaucratic hurdles; they're there to keep everything safe and neighborly. According to iGMS, here’s what you need to know:
Want the lowdown on rentals in other spots? Check out our breakdowns on Miami's short-term rental license and Orlando's short-term rental license.
Here's your roadmap to snagging a short-term rental license in Fort Myers. Hang on to this checklist from Steadily:
StepAction1Fill out the application form2Gather necessary documents3Send in the application4Sort out the registration fees5Sort a DBPR license (as needed)
Depending on your spot in Fort Myers, guidelines might change a bit. Folks in Lee County, for instance, have their own steps with the town’s registration process.
By checking off these steps, you’re all set to keep things legit and hassle-free with your short-term rental. For more on how it goes down in other Florida spots, have a look at our tips on Tampa's short-term rental license and Jacksonville's short-term rental license.
Getting a short-term rental license in Fort Myers isn't just about ticking boxes; you need to know the game and the players. Fort Myers sorts short-term rentals into two camps: condo rentals and your average dwelling spots.
So, here's the skinny—condo rentals are those individual units nestled within bigger complexes, offering folks a taste of community with perks like swimming pools and gyms. But, there's no free ride; hosts gotta check both state laws and any extra hoops set by the condo rulers themselves.
Condo Rental RegulationsDetailsDBPR LicensingMust haveCondo Association ApprovalMaybe yes, maybe noShared PerksPools, gyms, the worksLicensing FeesYep, those too
Key Things to Note About Condo Rentals:
These are your single-family homes, townhouses, etc., that aren't tagged as condos. Whether you're renting out the whole shebang or just parts of it, there's a set of rules you gotta follow.
Dwelling Unit RegulationsDetailsDBPR License Possible ExemptionIf not public lodgingRent All or PartWhole house or a room—you decidePrivate PerksUsually exclusive to youLicensing FeesMaybe you skip some fees
Key Points for Dwelling Units:
No matter what's on offer, sticking to Fort Myers rental guidelines isn't just a good idea—it's a must. Each rental type has its quirks and perks; knowing this helps you slide through the licensing maze with ease.
Got more on your mind? Check these out:
When you're looking to get a Fort Myers short term rental license, you gotta follow some simple steps to stay on the right side of the law. It's all about knowing what to do, so you can get your place up and running without a hitch. Here's the scoop:
To keep the ball rolling, make sure you’ve got all your docs lined up. You don’t want to be running around trying to get papers at the last minute. Stuff you'll need includes:
Do yourself a favor and submit the paperwork online when you can; else, drop them off at the office in person.
Required DocumentationPurposeProof of OwnershipConfirms you legally own the propertyFloor PlanEnsures all safety inspections are possibleSafety ComplianceProves adherence to safety standardsSales Tax CertificateNecessitates collection of state taxesLee County Tax AccountRegisters for local transient rental taxesInsuranceGuarantees liability coverageBusiness Tax ReceiptValidates local business tax compliance
Need some extra tips? We've got more advice on places like Tampa or Weston. Follow all these pointers, and you'll have your license with zero stress.
If you're hosting short-term rentals in Fort Myers, you gotta keep everything up-to-date—your info, registration, and licenses, all in line with state and local laws. Property owners must fill out a renewal application with all the fresh details about the place, owners, and backup contacts. Knowing the rules dished out by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation is key to cruising through the renewal process. See more here.
Running short-term rentals in Fort Myers means you'll be paying some fees. These cover admin costs and help ensure rentals are up to local standards, with payments usually heading to the Department of Revenue. Here's the deal:
Fee TypeAmountRegistration Fee$50 - $150Renewal Fee$30 - $75
Keep tabs on the latest from the City of Fort Myers to get the most accurate fee info.
Don’t forget, Fort Myers hosts also need to collect taxes: a 6% State Sales Tax from the Florida Department of Revenue and 5% Lee County Tourist Development Tax. Staying on top of state and county tax rules is a must unless you're fond of penalties. More details here.
To get the full scoop on applying and the paperwork needed, check out our how to get a short term rental license guide.
Ticking these boxes makes sure your rental stays legit and runs like a dream, which is a win-win for everyone. Curious about other cities? We've got guides for Miami, Orlando, and Tampa waiting for you.
Running a short-term rental in Fort Myers, Florida? Better keep your tax ducks in a row, or you might find yourself in hot water quicker than a midday sunburn. Complying with state and local tax rules isn't just a good idea; it's essential unless you fancy a conversation with Uncle Sam's representatives.
If you’re hosting guests for short stays in Fort Myers, you're collecting the 6% State Sales Tax from them. This tax gets handled by the Florida Department of Revenue and targets everything you make from rental income. And let's be honest, no one wants to mess with the tax folks. Best bet? Collect and hand over every penny right on their terms.
Tax BitRateState Sales Tax6%
Register your digs with the Florida Department of Revenue and snag that sales tax license. Do this on the regular to keep things above board (BNBCalc).
Now, you’re not done yet. On top of the state sales tax, there’s the 5% Lee County Tourist Development Tax that you’re on the hook for. Yep, this goes toward boosting local tourism and the kinda projects that keep the area alive and kicking (Steadily).
Tax BitRateLee County Tourist Development Tax5%
You’ll need to take this tax out of the total rental income, including any little extras you charge, like cleaning fees. Then, pass it along to Lee County to keep everything kosher.
If you are thinking about renting your lovely abode in Fort Myers, being up to snuff with state and county tax rules is non-negotiable. Skip out on this, and you could be looking at some nasty fines. We've got the dish on how to score a short-term rental license and other details in our guides here.
Wanna see how it compares across cities? Check out these guides:
