Fort Myers Beach is cracking down on short-term rentals that are operating without permission. Town leaders say many homes are being rented out on popular vacation rental platforms without following local rules. These rules are meant to protect renters, neighbors, and homeowners.
To find these illegal rentals, the town started using special software that searches online rental listings. Once the system flags a property, the town checks to see if it is properly registered and inspected. After reviewing the data, officials found hundreds of rentals that were not following the law. As a result, the town is now sending notices and warning letters to property owners.
Why the Town Is Stepping In
Town officials say this effort is not about punishing people for renting their homes. The main concern is safety. If a rental property has not been inspected, guests may be staying in a home that does not meet basic fire or safety standards.
Officials also say unregistered rentals can create problems for nearby residents, such as noise issues, parking problems, and overcrowding. By enforcing the rules, the town hopes to keep neighborhoods safe and balanced.
How Illegal Rentals Were Found
The town is now using monitoring software that scans vacation rental websites daily. This system helps staff find listings that do not match the town’s registration records.
After reviewing the results, the town discovered more than 500 short-term rentals that were either unregistered or missing required inspections. Many owners may not have realized they were breaking the rules, while others may have ignored them.
What Property Owners Are Required to Do
Homeowners who want to rent their property short-term must follow a few basic steps. First, they must register their rental with the town and pay a registration fee. Second, the property must pass a fire safety inspection before it can be rented out.
Once owners receive a warning letter, they have about two weeks to register their property or stop renting it. If they do not comply, they could face daily fines.
What Fire Safety Inspections Look For
Fire inspections focus on simple but important safety items. Inspectors check for working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and clearly visible house numbers so emergency crews can find the property quickly.
If a home fails the inspection, the owner must fix the issues before renting it out. Owners who are already scheduled for an inspection will not be fined as long as they do not rent the home before passing.
What Happens If Owners Ignore the Rules
If a property owner does nothing after receiving a notice, the town can issue fines that add up quickly. Continued violations may also lead to the owner losing the right to operate a short-term rental altogether.
Town leaders say the goal is compliance, not punishment. They want owners to register, make their homes safe, and follow the same rules as everyone else.
