Fort Myers Beach, FL vacation rental requirements

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

DBPR vacation rental licensing guide →

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

Florida Department of Revenue →

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

Florida rental fire safety checklist (FireEscapePlan.com) →

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.

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

Lee County tourist development tax →

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.

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

Check which rental type your zoning allows

Weekly rentals (3 to 7 days per reservation, several a month) are allowed only in certain zoning districts or where they were allowed on or before March 3, 2003. Elsewhere, you’re limited to one reservation of 3 to 29 days each calendar month. Rentals of 30 days or more may not need registration.Source

Get a fire safety inspection

Schedule it with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District; the report is part of your registration.Source

Register in the Rentalscape portal

Register within 90 days of starting to rent, with the owner as registrant, the unit address, a 24/7 responsible party, your DBPR license, the fire report, and the notarized consent form. Renew every year between November 15 and December 15. Properties that didn’t complete 2026 registration lose the opt-out and grandfathered rates.Source

Fort Myers Beach Rentalscape portal →

Post the code of conduct

Post it at the main entrance and have guests sign it: maximum occupancy, trash timing, quiet hours 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and leaving under mandatory evacuations. Occupancy must fit the town’s definition of a family (five or more unrelated adults isn’t one).Source