Lee County, Florida
Cape Coral, FL vacation rental requirements
Since January 1, 2026, Cape Coral requires every rental property to register with the city each year: $350 for short-term rentals (six months or less) and $35 for long-term. The city lists a 6-night minimum stay for short-term rentals. Fines for short-term rentals start at $500, and $1,000 for not registering or misstating the rental type.
Checked against official sources November 4, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
City Code Sec. 12-129 (Ordinance 53-25); fees set by Resolution 279-25, effective January 1, 2026.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Florida
Get the DBPR vacation rental license
Apply online to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants as a Vacation Rental – Condominium or Vacation Rental – Dwelling, listing every unit address. Approval usually takes one to two business days and the license is emailed. There is no inspection before it’s issued, but DBPR can inspect afterward. Post the license (or a copy) in the unit.Source
Renew every year by your district’s date
Licenses renew on a set date for each DBPR district. Brevard, Volusia, Indian River, St. Lucie, Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole (District 4) renew April 1, with the half-year rate from October 1. Duval, Nassau, Clay, Flagler, St. Johns, Levy, Alachua, Marion, and the rest of District 5 renew June 1, with the half-year rate from December 1. Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Gulf, Franklin, and the rest of District 6 also renew June 1. Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward (District 2) renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Miami-Dade and Monroe (District 1) renew October 1, with the half-year rate from April 1. Collier, Lee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, and the rest of District 7 renew December 1, with the half-year rate from June 1. Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, and the rest of District 3 renew February 1, with the half-year rate from August 1. If you won’t rent until after the next renewal date, waiting to apply can save paying twice.Source
Register for Florida sales tax if you collect rent yourself
Whoever receives the rent collects and pays the tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect Florida’s 6% tax and the county surtax on bookings made through them, so if every booking goes through them you don’t need your own sales tax account. If you take direct bookings, or a property manager collects rent for you, you or the manager register with the Department of Revenue and file. You stay responsible if a platform or manager doesn’t pay it.Source
Meet the state fire safety rule
Florida Administrative Code 69A-43.018 asks rental homes for smoke alarms powered by the house wiring plus one in every bedroom, NFPA 10 extinguishers, one hour of battery emergency lighting to the main exit, a posted floor diagram showing the primary and secondary exits, and fire safety information for guests.Source
Balcony inspection for taller buildings
Buildings three or more stories tall must file a Certificate of Balcony Inspection with DBPR every three years. Condo units are exempt when the balconies and stairs are common elements and you give DBPR proof.Source
Keep up the state operating rules
Keep the unit clean, safe, and free of pests; change sheets and pillowcases between guests or weekly; use cribs that meet federal safety standards; and sanitize dishes between guests or post DBPR’s exception notice.Source
Then the county and town
Most rules that affect day-to-day operation, like registration, inspections, occupancy, and parking, are set by the county and the town. Pick your town for its full checklist.
Lee County, Florida
Register for the tourist tax if you take direct bookings
If you find guests, write leases, or collect rent yourself, file the owner application with the Clerk’s Tourist Tax office and remit the 5% on those stays. A property manager who handles rentals for you registers as a dealer and remits for you. You stay responsible if a dealer doesn’t pay.Source
Then your city
The Tourist Tax office doesn’t regulate rentals; check your city’s rules and your HOA or condo association. Pick your city for its checklist.
City of Cape Coral
Get the state license and county tax account
Every Florida vacation rental needs the DBPR license. Airbnb and Vrbo collect Lee’s 5% tourist tax on their bookings; for direct bookings, register with the Lee Clerk’s Tourist Tax office and file it yourself. See the Florida and Lee County pages.Source
Register online
Register each property, even a single room, through the city’s Citizen Self-Service portal with the owner or manager contacts. Report contact or manager changes, or that you’ve stopped renting, within 30 days. Fees aren’t refunded.Source
Check your homestead exemption
If the home has a homestead exemption, ask the Lee County Property Appraiser whether renting affects it.Source
Fees
| Short-term rental registration (6 months or less) | $350 a year |
|---|---|
| Long-term rental registration | $35 a year |
| Late renewal | $50 |
In effect since January 1, 2026. Source
Sources
- Vacation rental and timeshare project licensing guide · Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants
- Rule 12A-1.061, sales tax on transient rentals (registration in part (9)) · Florida Department of Revenue (Florida Administrative Code)
- Rule 69A-43.018, fire safety for one- and two-family homes licensed as public lodging · State Fire Marshal (Florida Administrative Code)
- Certificate of Balcony Inspection (DBPR HR 7020) · Florida DBPR
- Tourist development tax · Lee County Clerk of Court, Inspector General
- Rental property registration · City of Cape Coral
- Cape Coral rental registration fees and enforcement now in effect (February 2, 2026) · WGCU
A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.