Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes—short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Lehigh Acres does not have city-specific STR rules; operations are governed by Lee County and the State of Florida. STRs operate under county registration and tax collection rules, plus Florida state requirements for taxes and, in certain cases, professional licensing. This is a stable, investor-friendly market: median occupancy around 55%, average daily rate about $114, and typical annual host income near $22,000.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Lehigh Acres

1. Confirm zoning and allowed use

• Check the property’s zoning with Lee County Growth Management (LeePlan/Land Development Code). Most residential lots are suitable; verify any HOA or deed restrictions that could limit rentals.

2. Register with Lee County

• Complete the Short-Term Rental Registration Form, provide owner contact info, property details, and designate a 24-hour local contact person. An initial registration fee of $300 per unit is required.
• Note: STR registration and enforcement are county-level. If your mailing address is outside Lee County, the Tax Collector will bill you for Tourist Development Tax (TDT). Registration alone does not address zoning—confirm zoning first.

3. Collect and remit taxes

• Florida sales tax: 6% on the total rent.
• Lee County Tourist Development Tax (TDT): 5% on short-term rentals (30 days or less). Register with the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office for TDT collection; reporting and remittance are required.
• State sales tax can be reported through the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR); local TDT is handled by the Lee County Tax Collector.

4. Comply with state safety and occupancy standards

• If renting a portion of your home (e.g., room rentals), Florida’s landlord-tenant laws under FDACS apply (e.g., habitability, disclosures, guest definitions).
• Occupancy: typical local standard is two people per bedroom plus two in common areas; ensure at least 50 square feet per person for sleeping rooms when relevant.

5. Maintain property standards and insurance

• Liability insurance is recommended (and may be required by county policy).
• Provide proof of adequate sanitary facilities; adhere to Florida Building Code and Lee County sanitation standards.

6. Operations and guest management

• Enforce quiet hours and noise rules; include house rules and clear check-in/operational procedures.
• Designate and keep accessible a local 24-hour contact for guests and county enforcement.

7. Listings and marketing

• Ensure listing terms and occupancy align with the registration and any HOA rules; advertise only lawful stays consistent with local rules.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Lee County STR Registration Form

  • Contents: owner name/contact, property address, designated 24-hour local contact, unit details
  • Fee: $300 per rental unit (initial registration)
  • Submission: in person, by mail, or by email (as specified by Lee County)

• County Compliance Affidavit

  • Affirms adherence to county STR regulations and applicable codes

• Tax compliance

  • Florida sales tax (6%): register/report with Florida DOR
  • Lee County TDT (5%): register/report with Lee County Tax Collector

• Licensing considerations (Florida DBPR)

  • Florida’s DBPR licensing applies when a dwelling is rented more than three times in a year for less than 30 days or one calendar month, or if advertised as a place regularly rented to guests. This is primarily for situations involving direct accommodation transactions that fall under professional regulation; confirm applicability to your business structure and unit type.

• Insurance and sanitation

  • Proof of liability insurance (best practice; verify if required by county)
  • Evidence of adequate sanitary facilities per county and state standards

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City-level (Lehigh Acres)

• No separate city-level short-term rental ordinance was identified in the provided sources. STRs are governed at county and state levels.

Lee County

• Registration: required for STRs (see registration form and fee above).
• Compliance Affidavit: owners must certify compliance with county regulations.
• Taxes: 5% TDT applies to rentals 30 days or less; registration with the Tax Collector’s Office is required for TDT collection.
• Safety and sanitation: adhere to Lee County sanitation requirements and Florida Building Code; maintain adequate sanitary facilities.
• Local contact: provide a 24-hour local contact person for each property.

State of Florida

• Sales tax: 6% on all short-term rentals.
• Licensing: DBPR registration/licensing may be required depending on rental frequency and advertising; application fees apply (e.g., $50 application + annual license fee).
• Occupancy standards: local governments commonly allow two people per bedroom plus two in common areas, with at least 50 square feet per sleeping occupant.
• FDACS: landlord-tenant rules apply when renting portions of a home (room rentals), including habitability and disclosure requirements.
• Enforcement: non-compliance can lead to fines and penalties; inspections may be required for permits in certain local jurisdictions.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Lee County Tax Collector’s Office (TDT registration and remittance)

  • Phone: See Lee County Tax Collector website
  • Website: www.leetc.com (Tax Collector – Tourist Development Tax)
  • Email/Online portal: see website
  • Note: STR registration form submission is county-wide; the Tax Collector administers TDT collection

• Lee County Growth Management (Zoning/Land Development Code)

  • Phone/Email: not listed in the provided sources
  • Website: www.leegov.com (Lee County Government) or Growth Management department portal
  • Purpose: zoning and code compliance

• Florida Department of Revenue (State sales tax)

  • Phone: not listed in the provided sources
  • Website: floridarevenue.gov

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

  • Phone/Website: see DBPR site
  • Purpose: licensing registration/licensing for short-term rentals where applicable

Source Links

• Lee County Tax Collector (Tourist Development Tax): www.leetc.com
• Lee County Government: www.leegov.com
• Florida Department of Revenue (Sales Tax): floridarevenue.gov
• RedAwning: Lehigh Acres STR Market Overview and Regulations: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/lehigh-acres-florida-0aecc
• GoSummer: Vacation Rental Management in Lehigh Acres, Florida: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/lehigh-acres-florida
• Gulf Stream Residential Appraisal Blog (State and regional STR regulatory context): gulfstreamres.com/blog/the-airbnb-hangover-summer-2025-crackdowns-and-what-they-mean-for-southwest-florida
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) – Landlord-Tenant Law: www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Landlord-Tenant-Law-in-Florida

Notes and investor considerations

• Lehigh Acres is investor-friendly with a healthy STR market and permissive county/state framework; ensure compliance on taxes, registration, and zoning.
• TDT and sales tax must be collected and remitted; set up reporting calendars and maintain thorough records.
• Confirm any HOA or deed restrictions that may limit STR operations.
• For room rentals or shared-space occupancy, follow FDACS rules and ensure habitability and disclosure standards.