Bonita Springs, Florida

Short term rentals are permitted in Bonita Springs, and a permit is required. Operators of non-owner occupied residential rentals need three authorizations: a City Rental Permit, a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License, and a Lee County Business Tax Receipt. The City Rental Permit costs $100 per unit, is valid for 3 years, and requires an inspection against the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code. The DBPR license is annual at roughly $170, plus a $50 application fee and a $10 hospitality education fee on the initial application. The Lee County Business Tax Receipt renews annually by September 30. Operators collect Florida state sales tax at 6% plus the Lee County Tourist Development Tax at 5%, a combined 11% on stays under 6 months. Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit the tourist tax, while operators using property management software must register and remit directly. There is no annual night cap, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. Florida state preemption under F.S. 509.032(7)(b) bars local governments from restricting rental duration or frequency, and Bonita Springs has no grandfathered pre-2011 duration ban. Zoning should be confirmed with the Community Development Department. Properties in HOA or condo associations are exempt from the city permit but are subject to association rules, which often restrict or prohibit STRs. Enforcement is rated moderate. Governor DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 280 in June 2024, and no Bonita Springs specific ordinance changes were identified in the past 24 months.