Are vacation rentals allowed?
Yes. Cape Coral allows short-term vacation rentals — but every residential rental in the city must be registered, every year.
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- Any home rented for 6 months or less counts as a short-term rental.
- Registration runs through the city's Energov Citizen Self Service portal.
- Owners must keep contact information current and tell the city about any change within 30 days.
- Renewal is due each year on the anniversary of your registration date — not on January 1.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
The fees
Set by City Council Resolution 279-25, effective January 1, 2026.
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- Short-term rental (6 months or less): $350 per property, per year.
- Long-term rental (more than 6 months): $35 per property, per year.
- Late renewal (more than 30 days past your anniversary date): $50 late fee.
- The city says the fees cover code enforcement, police services and compliance monitoring.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
The penalties
Fines for not registering, not renewing, or misreporting your rental type.
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- Failing to register: $50 fine and referral to Code Compliance.
- Failing to renew within 30 days of the anniversary: $50 fine and referral to Code Compliance.
- Violations can reach $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second, with more for repeat offenses.
- Rules come from Ordinance 53-25 and Resolution 279-25.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
State license & taxes
On top of the city registration, Florida and Lee County add their own requirements.
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- Florida DBPR vacation rental license for homes rented more than 3 times a year for under 30 days at a time.
- Florida sales tax on short-term rents — register with the Department of Revenue.
- Lee County tourist development (bed) tax — register with the Lee County Tax Collector.
- Booking platforms may collect some taxes for you — confirm which before you file.
- A city Business Tax Receipt is also required for a vacation rental — start with the city's zoning office.
Watch out
Two things that catch owners off guard.
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- Renting out a homesteaded house can cost you the homestead exemption — see the Homestead page.
- HOA and condo rules can be stricter than the city's — check yours before listing.
- Questions: rentalregistrations@capecoral.gov or 239-574-0601.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Plain-language summary, not legal advice. Fees, dates and rules change — confirm with the official source before you act.