Cape Coral Property Management Update: New Rental Registration Rules Begin January 1, 2026
December 31, 2025
Cape Coral property owners and real estate investors should be aware of major updates to the City’s Residential Rental Registration Program taking effect January 1, 2026. These changes, approved by Cape Coral City Council under Resolution 279 25 and Ordinance 53 25, introduce annual registration requirements, updated rental fees, and stricter enforcement measures that directly impact Cape Coral property management and rental compliance.
If you own a rental property in Cape Coral, understanding these updates is critical to protecting your investment and avoiding fines.
What’s Changing for Cape Coral Rental Properties in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, all residential rental properties in Cape Coral will be required to complete annual rental registration and renewal.
Updated annual rental registration fees include
$35 for long term rentals leased for more than six months
$350 for short term rentals leased for six months or less
To streamline the process, the City will launch an online rental registration portal at CapeCoral.gov RentalRegistration. Property owners and Cape Coral property management companies will be able to submit registrations, renewals, and payments entirely online.
The new regulations also strengthen enforcement, adding fines for failure to register, late renewals, or inaccurate reporting of rental type.
Which Cape Coral Rental Properties Must Register
The registration requirement applies to all residential rental properties in Cape Coral leased to another individual or entity, including:
Single family homes
Duplexes
Condominiums
Multi family properties
Both long term rentals and short term rentals are included. Long term rentals are defined as leases exceeding six months, while short term rentals are six months or less. These rules apply regardless of whether the property is self managed or handled by a professional Cape Coral property management company.
How to Register or Renew Your Rental Property
Beginning January 1, owners can access the City’s rental registration portal to complete new registrations or annual renewals, review program requirements, and submit payments.
Renewal dates are based on the anniversary of the original registration rather than the calendar year. Renewal notices will be sent to the billing contact on file prior to the due date, making accurate contact information essential for smooth Cape Coral rental property management.
Please visit: CapeCoral.gov/RentalRegistration
Fines and Enforcement Under the New Ordinances
The updated rules introduce several penalties aimed at increasing compliance across Cape Coral rental properties.
Failure to complete a new registration will result in a $50 fine and referral to Code Compliance.
Failure to renew within 30 days of the anniversary date will also result in a $50 fine and Code Compliance referral.
Additional penalties apply based on rental type. Long term rentals may face $250 for a first late renewal violation and $500 for repeat violations. Short term rentals face higher penalties, including $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Property owners who misrepresent their rental classification or operate a short term rental while registered as long term may face additional enforcement actions and higher fines. Revenue collected from these fines will support local code enforcement, police services, and rental registration software.
What This Means for Cape Coral Property Owners
Staying compliant with Cape Coral rental laws is an essential part of successful property management. Property owners should review their rental classification, track registration dates, and prepare for annual renewals to avoid fines and disruptions.
Working with an experienced Cape Coral property management company can help ensure compliance with local ordinances, proper documentation, and ongoing regulatory changes.
For official details and access to the registration portal, visit CapeCoral.gov RentalRegistration.
If you own a rental property in Cape Coral and want expert support navigating compliance, tenant management, and local regulations, Rentifi Property Management is here to help. Follow Rentifi for more Cape Coral property management insights and rental investment tips.
