Cape Coral Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Rental Property Registration ($350) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 11% |
| Max Penalty | $2,000 per violation |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Rental Property Registration
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $350 |
| Renewal | $350 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
Apply online at CapeCoral.gov/RentalRegistration through Energov Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State Sales Tax | 6% | Florida Department of Revenue |
| Lee County Tourist Development Tax | 5% | Lee County Clerk of Courts |
Combined rate: 11% of gross rental income.
Collection: Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway) collect and remit tourist development tax on behalf of hosts. Hosts using property management software must self-remit.
Filing: Monthly or quarterly depending on volume; remit to Florida Department of Revenue (sales tax) and Lee County Clerk (tourist development tax)
Rental Limits
Cape Coral does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Zoning & Restrictions
No zoning restrictions — Florida state law preempts local vacation rental zoning regulations
Insurance & Safety
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Owner must designate a local contact person who can respond to issues at the property 24/7
- Owner must provide current contact information
- Changes in information must be reported within 30 days
Penalties for Non-Compliance
First violation: $500 fine. Repeat offenses: $1,000 fine. Misrepresenting rental type - first offense: $1,000; repeat offenses within 36 months: $2,000. Late renewal (beyond 30 days): $50 fine plus Code Compliance referral.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Cape Coral:
- Meet safety requirements. Owner must designate a local contact person who can respond to issues at the property 24/7. Owner must provide current contact information. Changes in information must be reported within 30 days.
- Apply for Rental Property Registration. Submit application + $350 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Florida Department of Revenue (sales tax); Lee County Clerk of Courts (tourist development tax).
- Collect and remit taxes. 11% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $350 renewal fee.