As a property owner in Fort Lauderdale, you are uniquely situated to enjoy all the city has to offer. Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale is home to 165 miles of waterways, which provide a stunning natural backdrop for the city's art and architecture. The city's beach is also world-famous, and its warm climate makes it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. As a property owner, you have the opportunity to enjoy all of these amenities and more. Whether you're looking for a place for you and your family to relax or a vacation rental to rent out to entertain guests, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer everyone.
As Fort Lauderdale grows in popularity as a tourist destination, the demand for short-term rental properties has increased exponentially. While this is great news for property owners and investors, it can create some challenges for those looking to rent out their properties on a short-term basis. In this blog post, we will outline the process of getting a short-term rental permit in Fort Lauderdale and provide some tips on how to make the application process as smooth as possible.
The city of Fort Lauderdale has a wide variety of vacation rental properties. These properties can range from apartments and condos to private homes and villas. These rentals are often owned by individuals who use them as second homes or investment properties. Many vacation rental owners live out of state or even out of the country, therefore they rent their property as a vacation rental property. In the city of Fort Lauderdale, a short-term rental is defined as any lease with an average period of six months or less. These shorter-term rentals are typically referred to as "short-term rentals."
While the city does have regulations regarding short-term rentals, they are generally much less strict than the regulations for longer-term rentals. For example, many short-term rental properties do not require a minimum stay, and guests are often not required to undergo a background check. Additionally, most short-term rental agreements do not require a security deposit. Hint, this is why the city requires property owners to have a short-term rental permit.
According to fortlauderdale.com, the Vacation Rental Registration program "regulates vacation rentals as defined in Section 509.242. of the Florida Statutes (2015). A Vacation Rental shall mean any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative or any individually or collectively owned single family homes, two-family homes, three-family homes, or four-family homes or dwelling unit that is rented to Transient Occupants more than three (3) times in a calendar year for periods of less than thirty (30) days or one (1) calendar month, whichever is less, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to Transient Occupants."
Please note that hosts are required to adhere to the city's short-term rental regulations, which include limits on the number of guests and noise levels. Failure to do so may result in your permit being revoked. By following the proper procedures, you can avoid any problems and ensure a smooth rental experience for both you and your guests.
If you're planning on renting out your property for a short-term vacation rental, you'll need to apply for a permit from the city of Fort Lauderdale. Vacation rental properties are regulated under city code, and all owners must obtain a permit before they can list their property on a short-term rental platform. The application process is relatively simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you'll need to submit a completed application form, along with any required supporting documentation. This includes things like a property owner's affidavit and a Certificate of Use. You can find the necessary forms on the city’s website. Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by city staff and either approved or denied. If you're approved, you'll have a payment to complete, and then the city will do an inspection of the property. For an in-depth breakdown of each step, keep reading.
Step one is to Submit your Application - first, you will need to create or login to your account. (Use this link: https://aca-prod.accela.com/FTL/Default.aspx) From there you will:
1. Apply for all State and County licenses.
2. Provide a copy of your lease agreement and ensure the required information found in the vacation rental ordinance is part of the agreement.
3. Have proof of property ownership. You can get this at the Broward County Property Appraiser's website.
4. Once the application has been approved, The City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Application will be created.
You can complete the vacation rental application through LauderBuild using this link: https://aca-prod.accela.com/FTL/Default.aspx
Remember, any application that is missing documents or incomplete will be rejected by the City of Fort Lauderdale. If this is the case, they will notify you about the missing information and documents by email. You will then have five days to complete any of the missing information or obtain additional documents.
If your application is accepted, it will be processed within three business days. (YAY!)
Step two is to complete payment. Once the application is processed, vacation rental owners will receive an email with their vacation rental account number and payment link, as well as an invoice from the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax office for the business tax fee. Upon payment of both fees, the property will be scheduled for inspection.
Vacation Rental Fee Schedule:
Step three is to have the Inspection completed by the code officer. Once you have completed your application and payment, the code officer will be notified that your vacation rental is ready for inspection. Once notified, the code officer will contact you (or the applicant) via phone or email within three business days of payment to set up a date and time to complete the inspection. If you happen to, unfortunately, fail the inspection, a re-inspection can be completed ten days after the first inspection, costing an extra $75.00 fee for each re-inspection attempted. If you pass the inspection, you will receive a certificate of compliance that will be issued within three business days after your vacation rental passes inspection.
Here is a link to the Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist to prepare for your inspection, provided by fortlauderdale.gov: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65729/637813756136030000
As the vacation rental market continues to grow, more and more homeowners are considering obtaining a short term rental permit. There are many benefits to having a permit, including the ability to rent out your property on a short term basis, increased income potential while complying with Fort Lauderdale ordinances. Additionally, by having a permit you will be able to list your vacation rentals on popular vacation rental websites, making it easier for guests to find your property. If you are considering renting out your property on a short term basis, obtaining a permit is a great way to ensure that you are in compliance with all city regulations and continue to have benefits.
According to fortlauderdale.gov the renewal deadline for certification is August 1st and every certificate expires September 30th each year. Additionally, the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax License expires on September 30th and requires renewal with a fee of $157.50, which is invoiced separately from the vacation rental renewal fee.
That being said, a $75 late fee is given to any vacation rental renewal application that is incomplete or not submitted by the deadline. Applications that are not completely submitted by September 1st will be considered new applications and charged the $350 application fee as well as require a new inspection.
Steps for Renewal Recap
6. The Code Inspector will call you to set up your inspection once fees are paid.
7. You will receive your Certificate of Compliance within three business days of inspection.
Now that you know the steps to get your vacation rental permit in Fort Lauderdale, you should be good to go! The vacation rental market in Fort Lauderdale has been growing rapidly in recent years, and there is no shortage of demand for rental properties. As a result, it is important to be familiar with the vacation rental ordinances before you list your property. Fortunately, the process for getting a vacation rental permit is relatively straightforward. Once you have obtained a permit, you will be able to start renting out your property. I hope this blog post was informative and helpful for you. Thanks for reading!
If you have any additional questions about renewals and ordinance or order changes, you can email [email protected] for more information.
