Vacation rentals in Cape Coral and Fort Myers
Since January 2026 Cape Coral registers every rental each year, Sanibel keeps its pre-2011 four-week minimum, and unincorporated Lee County relies on state rules.
AirDNA market averages (markets with at least 150 active listings), atlas updated September 2026, in US dollars. An average across all property sizes, not a promise. Rules status: our summary — read the text and the guide.
Cape Coral is known for its hundreds of miles of canals, and its classic rental is a pool home with a dock and a boat ride to the Gulf. Fort Myers, across the Caloosahatchee, adds a historic riverfront, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and spring training for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, while Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva bring the beach crowd. Winter and early spring form the high season; summer is softer and more family-driven.
One county, several rulebooks
Florida's s. 509.032(7) keeps vacation rentals legal statewide and forbids new local limits on how often or how long they are rented. Inside Lee County, each jurisdiction still adds its own layer:
- Cape Coral: since January 1, 2026, every residential rental, long- or short-term, must be registered with the city each year. Rentals of six months or less pay a higher annual fee and face heavier fines, and late renewal triggers a fine and a code referral.
- Fort Myers Beach: the town runs its own short-term rental registration, under an ordinance first adopted in 2018.
- Sanibel: a four-week minimum rental period in residential zones predates the 2011 cutoff and remains enforceable, which rules out nightly stays for most homes.
- Unincorporated Lee County: no separate county rental permit was in place in 2026, only the state license and tax accounts.
Taxes and licenses
A home rented more than three times a year for stays under 30 days needs a DBPR vacation rental license. State sales tax goes to the Department of Revenue, while Lee County collects its tourist development tax locally. File it every month, including for bookings taken outside the platforms.
After Ian
Hurricane Ian in September 2022 reshaped this market. Many homes were rebuilt to newer codes, others are still waiting, and insurance and flood-zone rules weigh on every purchase. A post-2022 rebuild with elevation and impact windows is usually a stronger rental asset than a cheaper unrepaired house, even at a higher price.
Our advice
Register with Cape Coral before advertising, check pool barriers and dock condition, and plan pricing by season: a full winter calendar pays for the quieter summer months. On Sanibel, think monthly rather than nightly. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Around Cape Coral & Fort Myers
Read next
Sources
- WGCU - Cape Coral rental registration fees and enforcement now in effect (2026-02-02)
- City of Cape Coral - Rental Property Registration (consulted 2026-09-27)
- Town of Fort Myers Beach - Ordinance 18-01, Short-Term Rentals (2018)
- BNBCalc - Lee County short-term rental regulations (Sanibel, unincorporated Lee) (verified 2026-07)
- Florida Statutes 2026, s. 509.032 (Online Sunshine) (2026)
- DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants - Vacation rental license (consulted 2026-09-27)
Updated 11/10/2026.
Thinking of renting out your property?
Tell us about it: we study every request, check the rules for your exact address and tell you honestly whether and how we can help. Free and without obligation — Hexuvium, managing short-term rentals since 2015.
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