On September 15, 2026, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved an amendment to its vacation rental ordinance (Ordinance No. C-26-39). According to the city, advertising, renting, leasing or operating a vacation rental without a valid City Certificate of Compliance now carries a civil penalty of $1,000 per day.
What changes
- Operating with an expired certificate now also costs $1,000 per day instead of $250.
- If you file a complete renewal on time, you are protected from penalties while the city processes it.
- A change of owner, entity or management company does not end compliance obligations or enforcement.
- The registration fees themselves did not change with this amendment, according to the city.
More registered rentals, stricter enforcement
According to 100.7 WFLA, Fort Lauderdale has about 1,500 registered vacation rentals, and Airbnb listings need the same certification. At the proposal stage, the station also reported further points, including no new or renewed certificates while fines or liens are unpaid and no avoiding violations by moving a property into another entity you control. The city's page confirms the point about ownership and entity changes.
What does this mean for you?
If you host in Fort Lauderdale, check today that your certificate of compliance is valid and put the renewal date in your calendar with a few weeks of buffer.
Buying a rental there? Ask the seller for the current certificate and any open violations or fines – they don't disappear with a new owner. Have the details confirmed by the city or a local attorney.
