This guide covers the City of Fort Myers, Florida. Nearby markets often confused with Fort Myers in STR regulation research include:
- Cape Coral: Separate city with its own STR registration and enforcement rules.
- Fort Myers Beach: Independent town with stricter STR registration, fire inspection, and unique zoning rules.
- Sanibel: Barrier island city with highly restrictive rental policies and separate licensing.
- Bonita Springs: Distinct city in Lee County with its own STR ordinances and enforcement.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in Fort Myers with annual city and state registration, no citywide cap, and a total lodging tax stack of 11.5%. State preemption protects against local bans, but enforcement is active and platform-based.
- Legality Status: 5/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 3/5
- Regulatory Stability: 4/5
- Enforcement Climate: 2/5
TL;DR
Fort Myers defines STRs as rentals under 30 days and requires both a city permit ($300/year) and a Florida DBPR license. The total lodging tax is 11.5%. No citywide cap or minimum stay, but a local contact must be available within 60 minutes. The biggest investor risk: active DBPR enforcement scans platforms for unlicensed listings—fines can reach $1,000/day.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of a dwelling for periods less than 30 days Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Registration Required | Yes, city and state Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide |
| Permit Cost | $300 per unit (city) Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT |
| Annual Renewal | Yes, $300 per unit (city) Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT |
| State License Required | Yes, DBPR vacation rental license ($230 new, $180 renewal) Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) |
| State License Renewal | Annually, $180 Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) |
| State Sales Tax | 6% Airbnb Help Center |
| Lee County Discretionary Surtax | 0.5% Airbnb Help Center |
| Lee County Tourist Development Tax | 5% Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 11.5% (state + county) Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau |
| City Accommodations Tax | Not codified — only state and county taxes apply Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau |
| Permit Cap | Not codified — no citywide cap Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Transferability | Not transferable Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Permitted Zones | Not codified — see city code City of Fort Myers Laws & Ordinances |
| Minimum Stay | Not codified — no city rule City of Fort Myers Laws & Ordinances |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — [needs verification — call Community Development Department at (239) 321-7925] |
| Parking Requirement | Not codified — [needs verification — call Community Development Department at (239) 321-7925] |
| Local Contact Requirement | Yes, must be on-site within 60 minutes Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide |
| Insurance Requirement | Yes, $500,000 liability Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide |
| Inspection Requirement | Not codified — [needs verification — call Community Development Department at (239) 321-7925] |
| Enforcement Penalties | Up to $1,000/day (state DBPR) Florida Statutes Chapter 509.261 |
| Last Updated | August 4, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Fort Myers STRs face a dual registration regime: $300 annual city permit and a $180 annual state license renewal, plus a one-time $50 application and $10 HEP fee for new DBPR applicants. The total lodging tax stack is 11.5%. Underwriters should model compliance costs at 13.5% of gross revenue, with median Fort Myers STRs earning $29,198 at an average daily rate of $189 and 31% occupancy. The binding constraint is active DBPR enforcement, which scans platforms for unlicensed listings. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in Fort Myers?
A short-term rental is any dwelling rented for periods less than 30 days Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances.
Are short-term rentals legal in Fort Myers?
Yes, STRs are legal with required city and state registration Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
Is Fort Myers Beach covered by these rules?
No, Fort Myers Beach is a separate jurisdiction with its own STR rules Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
Licensing
Do I need a city permit to operate an STR?
Yes, all STRs must be registered with the city and renewed annually Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
Is a state license also required?
Yes, a Florida DBPR vacation rental license is required for most STRs Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
How much are the permit and license fees?
City permit: $300/year per unit. State license: $230 new, $180 renewal Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Are permits transferable if I sell my property?
No, STR registrations are not transferable to new owners or properties Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances.
Taxes
What taxes apply to STRs in Fort Myers?
STRs are subject to 6% state sales tax, 0.5% county surtax, and 5% county tourist tax (total 11.5%) Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Does Airbnb collect and remit these taxes?
Yes, Airbnb collects and remits both the 6% state sales tax and 5% county tourist tax Airbnb Help Center.
Do I need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue?
Yes, unless all bookings are through platforms that collect and remit all required taxes Florida Department of Revenue (via STR Search).
Is there a city-level accommodations tax?
No, only state and county lodging taxes apply Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Operations
Are there minimum stay or occupancy limits?
No city rule codifies minimum stay or occupancy cap; defaults apply City of Fort Myers Laws & Ordinances.
Is a local contact required?
Yes, a responsible party must be available on-site within 60 minutes Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
Is insurance required?
Yes, $500,000 liability insurance is required for STR permits Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
Are there inspection requirements?
Not codified — [needs verification — call Community Development Department at (239) 321-7925].
Enforcement
What are the penalties for operating without a license?
Fines can reach up to $1,000 per day under Florida law Florida Statutes Chapter 509.261.
How is enforcement handled?
DBPR actively scans listing platforms for unlicensed STRs Triad Vacation Rentals Blog.
Has Fort Myers changed its STR rules recently?
No new STR ordinance amendments or enforcement changes were posted in 2024–2026 City of Fort Myers Official Website.
Can the city ban STRs?
No, state law preempts local bans unless the ordinance predates June 1, 2011 Florida Statutes 509.032(7)(b).
Permit Process
Fort Myers requires all STRs to register with the city and renew annually. The application process includes proof of ownership, $500,000 liability insurance, and a local contact who can respond within 60 minutes. The city permit costs $300 per unit per year, and is not transferable to new owners or properties Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
A separate Florida DBPR vacation rental license is also required for most STRs, with a $230 initial fee and $180 annual renewal. The state license must be renewed by December 1 each year Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Zoning
The City of Fort Myers does not separately codify STR zoning use tables, minimum night stays, occupancy caps, or parking requirements in available primary sources. Investors should review the city’s Land Development Code for any updates and verify with the Community Development Department for property-specific zoning questions City of Fort Myers Laws & Ordinances.
A local responsible party must be designated for each STR, and insurance requirements apply. No citywide cap on STR permits is codified Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide.
Taxes and Remittance
STRs in Fort Myers are subject to a combined 11.5% lodging tax: 6% state sales tax, 0.5% Lee County discretionary surtax, and 5% Lee County Tourist Development Tax. Airbnb collects and remits both the state and county tourist taxes, but hosts must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Lee County unless all bookings are through platforms that handle all taxes Airbnb Help Center, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
No city-level accommodations tax is imposed. Registration with the state and county is required for direct bookings Florida Department of Revenue (via STR Search).
Enforcement and Recent Actions
Enforcement is active: the Florida DBPR scans listing platforms to identify unlicensed STRs, and fines can reach $1,000 per day for violations. The city does not separately codify fine amounts, so state law applies Florida Statutes Chapter 509.261.
No new STR ordinance amendments or enforcement changes were posted by the city in 2024–2026 City of Fort Myers Official Website.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
A 2024 bill (SB 280) that would have centralized STR regulation under the DBPR was vetoed, so local ordinances remain in effect. Florida’s preemption law continues to prevent local bans or restrictions on STR duration or frequency unless adopted before June 1, 2011 Triad Vacation Rentals Blog, Florida Statutes 509.032(7)(b).
No major regulatory changes are pending as of August 2026.
Comparable Markets
- Cape Coral, FL — Consider if you want a nearby city with its own STR registration and enforcement.
- Fort Myers Beach, FL — Consider for stricter STR rules and unique zoning.
- Sanibel, FL — Consider for highly restrictive rental policies.
- Bonita Springs, FL — Consider for a distinct Lee County STR regime.
Sources
- Town of Fort Myers Beach Code of Ordinances
- Town of Fort Myers Beach COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
- City of Fort Myers Laws & Ordinances
- City of Fort Myers Official Website
- Florida Statutes Chapter 509.261
- Florida Statutes 509.032(7)(b)
- Property Management Fort Myers Florida: 2026 Guide
- Airbnb Help Center
- Florida Department of Revenue (via STR Search)
- Triad Vacation Rentals Blog
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in City of Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida.
Ready to evaluate Fort Myers as an STR market?
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