🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral Cracks Down: STR Owners Face Steeper Fees - Annual Registration Fee Raise Stirs Debate
Cape Coral Cracks Down: STR Owners Face Steeper Fees
Short-term rental owners in Cape Coral might soon face a reality check—and it comes with a hefty price tag. The city is weighing a proposal that would raise annual registration fees for vacation rentals to $350 per year, a sharp jump from the current one-time $35 charge.
For owners like Andy Miller, the news stings. “My margins are so low, I don’t think my business can survive with that,” he admitted. Miller says he has no problem following the rules, but the jump in cost feels more like a penalty than a partnership with the city.
The reasoning behind the increase? Officials want all rental properties registered so they can better tackle complaints about party houses, noise, and unruly guests. Under the proposal, unregistered owners could face fines as high as $700—and that’s just for a first offense.
Neighbors, meanwhile, see the plan as a win for their peace of mind. “If there are issues in a neighborhood—too many parties, late-night craziness—the city will know who to call,” said Lisa Pauly, who’s moving in next to a rental property. For her, a few hundred dollars a year seems like a fair trade for keeping neighborhoods livable. Realtor Jeremy Betts added that tighter oversight is key as Cape Coral continues to draw seasonal residents and tourists.
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But not everyone is convinced the plan will actually solve the problem. Miller notes that Airbnb and VRBO already screen guests, making wild parties less common than some believe. He fears responsible owners like himself will be lumped in with the troublemakers.
Still, the city isn’t backing down just yet. The proposal would bring short-term rentals under closer watch starting January 1, 2026. Property owners have already received letters from City Hall warning them to register or face steep penalties.
For many hosts, the next few months will be about weighing the costs of staying in the business versus stepping away. For neighbors, it’s about finally seeing stronger guardrails around a rental market that’s exploded in recent years.
Cape Coral’s debate boils down to this: is $350 a year a reasonable safeguard, or a barrier that will push out small-time hosts? The answer will shape how this Gulf Coast community handles short-term rentals for years to come.
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