All correspondence relating to vacation rental occurs via email (VacationRental@fortlauderdale.gov). This includes, but is not limited to, renewals, ordinance/order changes, and  general questions. Vacation rental violation concerns may be reported via email at VRInfo@fortlauderdale.gov. 

No application will remain in pending status (payment pending, inspection pending, application rejected, inspection failed) for more than 30 days once notification for the above stated has been provided to the owner/responsible party from the City. *The application will be closed.*  Accounts that are not renewed will be closed 6 months after Certificate expiration.

REGISTRATION PROCESS - The City of Fort Lauderdale requires every vacation rental property to first be licensed with the State and County before submitting an application with the City. The following licenses must be obtained in the following order:

1. Apply for all State and County Licenses

a) Department of Business and Professional Regulation - If the property is a homestead, owner-occupied, and renting a room only, you are exempt from providing this license. A notarized letter attesting to the renting of a room is required for exemption. 

b) Department of Revenue - If the hosting platform collects and remits the required State of Florida sales tax on your behalf, please submit a notarized letter attesting to this fact including the name of the hosting platform. (Letter must specify State of Florida Sales Tax)

c) Broward County Business Tax Receipt - application can be completed online or in person at Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, Governmental Center Room, 115 S. Andrews Ave. Room A 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

d) Broward County Tourist Development Tax - If the hosting platform collects and remits the required Broward County Tourist Development Tax on your behalf, please submit a notarized letter attesting to this fact including the name of the hosting platform. (Letter must specify Broward County Tourist Tax)

 2. Provide proof of property ownership from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website. If the applicant is not the property owner, a notarized letter of authorization from the property owner(s) or managing member of the business is required. (Letter to include the property address and must be signed by the owner)

2b. If property is owned by a business entity, please provide ownership information found on Sunbiz. If the corporation is an out of state/international entity, registration is required with the State of Florida Division of Corporations. 

3. Provide a blank/sample copy of the lease agreement furnished to your guests. Sample leases are provided below. Ensure the required information found in the Vacation Rental Ordinance is a part of the agreement. Include a sketch or photograph of the off-street parking spaces with the following statement, "No on-street parking permitted".

4. Complete the vacation rental application at LauderBuild. View the Vacation Rental Registration Instructions for additional help. Incomplete applications will be rejected. You will be notified of the missing requirements via email. You are required to resubmit the information and/or documents that were missing within ten (10) business days. Once the application is accepted, processing times are approximately five (5) business days.

Payment Process

• Once the application is processed, the applicant receives an email with the vacation rental account number and invoice for registration payment.
• The City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Account is generated and invoiced once the Vacation Rental Application is approved.
• Upon payment of both the Vacation Rental Registration fee and the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax fee, the property is scheduled for inspection.

• Upon payment of fees, the code officer is notified that the property is ready for inspection.
• Please review the Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist to prepare for inspection. There is a $75.00 inspection fee for each inspection after the initial inspection (safety inspection, reinspection, or no show inspection).
• The code officer will contact the applicant via email or telephone within three (3) business days to schedule a date and time for inspection. To verify inspection date and time, please contact the vacation rental administrator at 954-828-7110.
• If the property fails inspection, a reinspection is conducted in ten (10 )days. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the property  before the reinspection.
• A Certificate of Compliance is issued within three (3) business days after passing inspection.
• Please note - Maximum Occupancy (2 persons per bedroom) is based upon the number of legal bedrooms inside the registering property and is verified by the inspector. The requirements for bedrooms is below. If you have questions, please contact your inspector.
• After your Certificate of Compliance is issued, don't forget to "Be a Code Compliant Vacation Rental".

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Vacation Rental Document Checklist
• Sample Rental Agreement (1)
• Sample Rental Agreement (2)
• Sample Rental Agreement (3)
• Bedroom Requirements

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