Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Fort Myers Beach?

• Yes. Short‑term rentals (typically defined in local code as leases of less than six months) are permitted in Fort Myers Beach, but they must be registered with the Town, comply with the Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct, follow weekly/monthly zoning rules that determine allowable stay durations, and meet fire/life-safety requirements. Registration is mandatory for all STRs under Town Ordinance 18‑01 and Division 32‑A of the Land Development Code. The Town’s registration and compliance portal is Rentalscape; paper applications and checks are no longer accepted.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Fort Myers Beach

1. Confirm zoning eligibility for weekly vs. monthly stays

• Fort Myers Beach uses a weekly/monthly rental map and zoning rules that determine:
  • Weekly zones: A unit may be rented once per week (e.g., if rented for 3 days, the unit must remain vacant for the balance of that week).
  • Monthly zones: A unit may be rented once per month (a minimum one‑week stay is allowed; if rented for any portion of a month, the unit must remain vacant for the rest of that month).
• These rules are tied to specific streets and neighborhoods; confirm your property’s designation before buying or listing.
• Suggested next step: Contact Community Development for zoning confirmation and, if needed, request the official weekly/monthly map (see Contacts).

2. Register with the Town (Rentalscape)

• New registration and renewals are completed online via Rentalscape. The public portal allows guests and the public to view registered STRs.
• No paper applications or checks are accepted; all renewals must be completed online.
• A step‑by‑step registration guide is available from the Town.
• Include a valid local contact person who can respond to issues at the property within a reasonable time.

3. Post-registration requirements

• Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct: Provide to guests and enforce at the property.
• Occupancy and use: Adhere to Town limits and weekly/monthly rules.
• Local contact and response: Maintain a responsible local contact capable of addressing issues 24/7.
• Advertising: Include your Town registration number in all listings and advertisements.

4. Obtain Fire/life-safety compliance

• Short-Term Rental Fire Inspection: Completed by the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District. Owners must complete the STR fire inspection checklist and any required inspections. Coordinate scheduling through the Fire District.

5. Taxes and state licensing

• Florida DBPR license: Short‑term rentals in Florida must obtain a vacation rental license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
• State sales tax (6%): Collect and remit to the Florida Department of Revenue for rentals under six months.
• Local Tourist Development Tax (Lee County): Collect and remit the county’s tourist development tax for short‑term stays; verify the current rate directly with Lee County.
• Suggested next step: Register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Lee County for tax remittance and reporting.

6. Compliance monitoring and enforcement

• The Town uses Rentalscape to monitor listing and compliance, flag violations, and notify owners.
• Noise complaints: Call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office non‑emergency line.
• 24/7 violation hotline: Report STR violations to the Town’s hotline.
• Online complaint form: Submit complaints through the Town’s STR complaint portal.
• Violations can lead to fines, suspension, or revocation of registration; a special magistrate handles code cases.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines Town of Fort Myers Beach

• Short-Term Rental Registration (via Rentalscape)
• Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct acknowledgment
• Local contact information (name, phone, email)
• Advertising compliance (include registration number in listings)
• STR Fire Inspection completion (Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District)
• Weekly/monthly zoning compliance (as applicable to property location)
• Annual renewal through Rentalscape (online only)

State of Florida

• DBPR vacation rental license
• Florida Department of Revenue account (for state sales tax)
• Collection and remittance of state sales tax (6%)

County (Lee County)

• Tourist Development Tax registration and remittance
• Local contact and response obligations as applicable to county rules

Condominium associations (Opt‑Out provision)

• Condo associations may opt out and self‑enforce the Code of Conduct by submitting an opt‑out application (one registration form per building and a required fee). This opt‑out applies to the entire building and is not available for a subset of units.
• Associations must use the Town’s specified letter format for opt‑out requests.
• A list of Registered Condominium Opt‑Out buildings is maintained by the Town.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals in Fort Myers Beach Town regulations

• Registration mandatory: Ordinance 18‑01 established the registration process for all STRs; per LDC Division 32‑A, all rentals must be registered with the Town.
• Code of Conduct: Mandatory adherence and enforcement by owners; violations subject to code enforcement.
• Weekly vs. Monthly rules: Properties are assigned to weekly or monthly zones that control permissible rental durations and turnover; weekly properties may rent once per week; monthly properties may rent once per month with minimum one‑week stays.
• Local contact: Required; must be able to respond promptly to issues.
• Advertising: Registration number must appear in all advertisements.
• Rentalscape: The Town’s official STR platform for registration, renewals, public listing, and compliance monitoring.
• Noise control: For noise complaints, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
• Enforcement: 24/7 violation hotline and online complaint portal; violations may result in fines and potential suspension/revocation; code cases heard by a special magistrate.

County regulations

• Lee County Tourist Development Tax: Applies to short‑term stays; collect and remit the current rate. Contact Lee County for registration and reporting.
• Sheriff’s office response: For noise and public safety issues within Fort Myers Beach.

State regulations (Florida)

• DBPR licensing: Required for all short‑term rentals.
• State sales tax: 6% on rentals less than six months; remit to the Department of Revenue.
• Local preemption: State law allows local governments to regulate STRs (e.g., registration, standards, zoning) provided local rules were in place prior to 2011.

Additional real‑world operating notes

• Rentalscape flags violations and sends automatic notifications, which helps both the Town and owners identify non‑compliant listings (including unauthorized third‑party rentals).
• Condominium opt‑out buildings self‑enforce the Code of Conduct but still must register with the Town under the opt‑out framework.
• Fire inspections are conducted by the Fire District; follow the official STR fire inspection checklist and maintain compliance for guest safety and regulatory eligibility.

Contact information Town of Fort Myers Beach

• General (Town Hall): 239‑765‑0202
• Short‑Term Rentals Help (Community Development): 239‑765‑0202
• Email (STR program): STR@fmbgov.com
• Email (Community Development Administrative Assistant): melissa.chaidez@fmbgov.com
• Fire/life-safety (STR Fire inspections): Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District website (see Links below)
• Noise complaints (non‑emergency): Lee County Sheriff’s Office — 239‑477‑1000
• 24‑hour STR violation hotline: 239‑944‑3956
• Online STR complaint form: see Links below
• Mailing address: Town of Fort Myers Beach, 6231 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Links to source pages

• Town of Fort Myers Beach Short-Term Rentals page (main portal, contacts, code of conduct, registration, Rentalscape, violation hotline, complaint form, opt‑out provisions, staff directory): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1024/Short-Term-Rentals
• Code of Conduct (PDF): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13202
• Ordinance 18‑01 (Short-Term Rentals Regulation): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13203/ORDINANCE-18-01-Short-Term-Rentals-Regulation-FINAL
• Division 32‑A – Short-Term Rentals (Town Code/Land Development Code): library.municode.com/fl/fort_myers_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH34ZODIDESTNO_ARTIVSURE_DIV32-ASHRMRE
• Registered Condominium Opt‑Out List (PDF): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18872/Registered-Condominium-Opt-Out-List-2022
• Opt‑Out Condominium Letter (PDF): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13256
• Rentalscape public STR portal (public search): str-public-portal.deckard.com/?place=fortmyersbeach-fl
• Step-by-step registration guide (PDF): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24171
• Online STR Complaints (form): complaints-str.deckard.com/fortmyersbeach-fl-str-complaints
• Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District — STR fire inspections: www.fmbfirefl.gov/short-term-rental-fire-inspections

Notes for investors

• Confirm your property’s weekly vs. monthly designation before acquisition; this materially affects both availability and returns.
• Maintain an active, responsive local contact and communicate house rules and noise expectations clearly to guests.
• Use the public Rentalscape portal to audit compliance of your listing(s) and vendor partners; Rentalscape flagging protects owners from unauthorized sub‑rentals and ensures timely correction of inadvertent violations.
• Keep both your Town registration and state/county tax accounts current; renewals are online only via Rentalscape, and tax remittances must be filed regularly with state and county authorities.