Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in North Fort Myers, FL?

• Yes—short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in North Fort Myers, an unincorporated community within Lee County, subject to Florida state law and Lee County rules.
• State-level classification governs much of the compliance framework in Florida: rentals lasting less than six months are considered “transient public lodging” and must follow the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requirements; rentals for six months or more are not regulated as transient lodging.
• Lee County does not operate a Fort Myers Beach–style STR portal for unincorporated areas like North Fort Myers. Compliance in North Fort Myers is primarily through state registration, county tax receipts, and county code enforcement.
• Deeds, covenants, HOA/condo restrictions, and fire/life-safety rules can impose additional limits or requirements. Always review your property’s documents and confirm zoning before proceeding.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in North Fort Myers

1. Confirm zoning and deed restrictions

• Verify the property’s zoning and any HOA/condo covenants. If your community prohibits STRs or limits rental duration, those rules supersede county/state allowances. Also check if local deed restrictions address minimum rental periods (e.g., 30+ days).

2. Register as a transient public lodging establishment with the Florida DBPR (if renting under six months)

• Applies to units rented for periods shorter than six months.
• Process: create/verify a professional license account with DBPR, then register your property as a vacation rental under the “Transient Public Lodging” category. The DBPR maintains listing and compliance standards for transient establishments.
• Reference: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) – registration, list maintenance, and compliance rules for transient lodging.

3. Obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (business tax certificate) from Lee County

• Required to operate a business in unincorporated Lee County, including North Fort Myers.
• Contact the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office to apply, pay fees, and renew annually.

4. Set up tax collection and remittance

• Florida State Sales Tax (6%) applies to transient lodging. Collect from guests and remit monthly via the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR).
• Lee County Tourist Development Tax (typically 5% on transient lodging) applies in Lee County. Collect and remit per county procedures. Some listing platforms collect automatically; otherwise, you remit directly to the county.
• File state sales tax returns and county TDT returns as required. Establish consistent bookkeeping to support timely filings.

5. Comply with life-safety and inspection requirements (as applicable)

• If the STR is in a condominium complex, verify that the association authorizes STR operations and any inspection rules. Local fire districts and Lee County may require or offer inspections (e.g., smoke/CO detectors, egress, occupancy standards). Confirm local requirements before renting.

6. Structure your operations and guest policies

• Draft house rules aligned with local quiet hours, occupancy limits, parking restrictions, and trash placement. These rules reduce conflict and help avoid code enforcement issues.

7. Maintain compliance and renewals

• DBPR registration and county business tax receipts require periodic renewal. Keep your property data current (owner, emergency contacts, occupancy limits) and monitor tax remittance deadlines.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• DBPR Registration (for rentals under six months)
  • Purpose: Establishes the property as a transient public lodging establishment.
  • Requirement: State law classifies rentals shorter than six months as transient lodging; DBPR oversees registration and compliance.
  • Renewal: DBPR’s renewal cadence applies; maintain current contact and unit data.
• Lee County Local Business Tax Receipt
  • Purpose: Authorizes business activity in unincorporated Lee County.
  • Application: Through the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office.
• Tax registration and filings
  • Florida DOR account for state sales tax (6%).
  • County TDT registration (typically 5%) and periodic filings for the tourist development tax.
• Fire and life-safety compliance
  • Follow local fire district guidance and ensure working smoke/CO detectors, posted egress info, and appropriate occupancy limits.
• Property documents review
  • HOA/condo bylaws, covenants, and deed restrictions to confirm STR permissions and rules.

Specific Regulations for North Fort Myers (County) and State-Level Requirements State of Florida

• Short-term rentals are defined by duration: less than six months is transient lodging; six months or more is not.
• DBPR oversees transient public lodging registration and compliance.
• State sales tax at 6% applies to transient lodging rentals; collected from guests and remitted to the Florida DOR.
• DOR provides guidance on tax rates, due dates, and filing methods.

Lee County (Unincorporated Areas, including North Fort Myers)

• Local Business Tax Receipt is required to operate a business, including STRs.
• Tourist Development Tax (typically 5%) applies to transient lodging and is collected/remitted per county procedures.
• County code enforcement addresses noise, trash, parking, occupancy, and other neighborhood impacts. Keep your STR aligned with local standards to avoid citations.

Condominium and HOA Considerations

• Condo associations and HOAs may permit, limit, or prohibit STRs via bylaws and rules. Condo associations can also “opt-out” of town enforcement and self-perform under specific provisions when participating in public lodging programs; this is a town-level construct relevant to areas like Fort Myers Beach and may differ for unincorporated North Fort Myers.
• Deeds and covenants can include minimum rental periods (e.g., 30-day minimum) even if state/county allow shorter stays. Check your recorded documents before renting.

Complaints, Noise, and Enforcement

• For noise and other STR-related complaints, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line. The sheriff’s office handles law enforcement responses in unincorporated Lee County.
• Violations can lead to code enforcement actions, fines, or operating restrictions. Promptly address guest behavior and neighbor concerns.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Where Available)

• Lee County Sheriff’s Office – Non-emergency
  • Phone: 239-477-1000
  • For emergencies, call 911.
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
  • Website: www.myfloridalicense.com/
  • Registration help and transient public lodging guidance available via DBPR portals.
• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) – Taxpayer Services
  • Phone (general tax assistance): 850-488-6800
  • Website: florida-revenue.com/ (for state sales tax registration, returns, and due dates)
• Lee County Tax Collector
  • Local Business Tax Receipt issuance (unincorporated areas, including North Fort Myers).
  • Phone: 239-533-6000 (main line)
  • Physical offices are county-operated; check online for branch locations and hours.
• Lee County TDT Administration (Tourist Development Tax)
  • Contact county tax administration for TDT registration and remittance procedures.
  • Phone: 239-533-6000 (ask for TDT/Tourist Development Tax administration).
  • Website: www.leecountygov/ (county homepage)

Links to Source Pages (IMPORTANT)

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): www.myfloridalicense.com/
• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR): florida-revenue.com/
• Lee County Government Homepage: www.leecountygov/
• Fort Myers Beach STR Registration Page (context for STR oversight in Fort Myers Beach; note this is not North Fort Myers): www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1024/Short-Term-Rentals
• Steadily STR Laws Overview (Florida and Fort Myers context): www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-regulations-fort-myers
• Beach Talk Radio News article on Fort Myers Beach STR oversight (contextual; not North Fort Myers): beachtalkradionews.com/town-tightens-up-vacation-rental-oversight/

Notes for Investors

• North Fort Myers lacks a dedicated STR portal, making state DBPR registration and county business/tax steps the backbone of compliance.
• The six-month classification boundary under Florida law is pivotal—units renting under six months must be treated as transient lodging; units at six months or more generally avoid transient lodging status and related taxes.
• HOA/condo restrictions and deed covenants can materially restrict STR activity even where state/county allow it.
• Clean, transparent operations with proactive tax remittance and neighbor-friendly policies minimize enforcement risk and sustain long-term STR viability.