What a Naples-area owner must do before renting for six months or less — and how the rules differ inside the city.
Since January 2022, Collier County has required owners of short-term vacation rentals in the unincorporated county to register each property, hold a state license and a county tax account, and name a responsible party. The City of Naples and the City of Marco Island are exempt from the county ordinance but have their own, stricter rules. This guide sets out what applies where; for properties under Alpizar Property Management, we handle the entire process at no charge.
| Who Must Register | Owners renting any habitable space for six months or less in unincorporated Collier County (Ordinance 2021-45) |
| Not Covered | Properties inside the City of Naples, City of Marco Island and Everglades City — each has its own rules; owners exempt from a DBPR license |
| Step 1 — State | DBPR Vacation Rental Dwelling license (single, group or collective); typically 2 to 3 weeks |
| Step 2 — Taxes | Collier County Tourist Development Tax account and Business Tax Receipt; Florida sales tax registration |
| Step 3 — County | Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration through the GMD Public Portal; $50 per property; about 20 days to process |
| Ongoing | Designate a responsible party reachable 24/7; include the county registration number in all advertising; provide guests with noise, parking and trash rules |
| Penalties | Code enforcement fines of up to $500 per day for continuing violations |
| City of Naples | 30-day minimum for most residential property, with limited exceptions of up to three shorter rentals per year; city registration required |
Does Your Property Require Registration?
Where is it? If the property is outside the city limits of Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City, it is in unincorporated Collier County and the county ordinance applies. Vanderbilt Beach, Pelican Bay, Palm River, most of North Naples and all of Golden Gate are unincorporated; Olde Naples, Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, Coquina Sands, The Moorings and Park Shore are inside the City of Naples. Check a specific address on the City of Naples interactive map or your property tax notice.
How long will you rent it? If for six months or less — seasonal, monthly or nightly — the county ordinance applies. Annual leases of more than six months do not require registration. Guest houses may not be rented under Collier County's land development code regardless of term.
How to Register in Unincorporated Collier County
Step one: state license. Obtain a Vacation Rental Dwelling license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A single license covers one property; a collective license can cover up to 75 properties under one owner. Apply at the DBPR licensing portal; approval typically takes two to three weeks.
Step two: tax accounts. Open a Tourist Development Tax account and obtain a Business Tax Receipt with the Collier County Tax Collector, and register for Florida sales tax. Short-term rental income is subject to both the county tourist tax and state sales tax, collected from guests and remitted monthly.
Step three: county registration. Register each property through the GMD Public Portal, providing the DBPR license, the tax account number, the property details and the name of a responsible party who can be reached at all hours. The fee is $50 per property, paid once the application is accepted, and processing takes about 20 days. Full details are on the county's registration page.
Once registered: the county registration number must appear in every advertisement, the responsible party must be available 24 hours a day, and guests must be given the county's rules on noise, parking and trash.
Inside the City of Naples and Marco Island
The City of Naples is exempt from the county ordinance but far more restrictive: most residential property may not be rented for less than 30 days, with a limited exception permitting up to three shorter rentals in a calendar year, and properties may not be advertised for shorter terms. The city operates its own rental registration program. The City of Marco Island likewise regulates and registers vacation rentals separately. Owners in either city should confirm current requirements with the municipality before listing; we do this for every residence we manage.
We Handle It for Managed Properties
For residences under an Alpizar Property Management agreement, we obtain the DBPR license, open the tax accounts, complete the county or city registration, serve as the 24/7 responsible party, collect and remit the tourist and sales taxes, and keep the registration current — at no additional charge. Owners considering a seasonal rental can request a rental analysis below.
Short-Term Rental Registration — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my Naples vacation rental?
If the property is in unincorporated Collier County and rented for six months or less, yes — under Ordinance 2021-45. If it is inside the City of Naples or Marco Island, the county ordinance does not apply, but the city's own registration and minimum-stay rules do.
How long does the process take?
The DBPR license typically takes two to three weeks; the county registration about 20 days after the application is accepted. Allow six weeks from start to finish before the first rental.
What does registration cost?
The county registration fee is $50 per property. The DBPR license and county Business Tax Receipt carry their own annual fees set by the state and the Tax Collector. For properties managed by Alpizar Property Management there is no charge for our handling of the process.
Do I need a state license for each property?
Not necessarily. A single DBPR license covers one property, but a collective license can cover up to 75 units under one owner, and a group license covers multiple units in one building. County registration, however, is required per property.
What happens if I do not register?
Operating an unregistered short-term rental in unincorporated Collier County is a code violation subject to citation and fines of up to $500 per day for continuing violations. Inside the City of Naples, renting for less than 30 days beyond the permitted exceptions is a separate violation.
Can Alpizar Property Management handle registration for me?
Yes. With a management agreement in place, we obtain the license, open the tax accounts, register the property, serve as the responsible party and keep everything current, at no additional cost.
Regulations, fees and processing times change; confirm current requirements with Collier County, the applicable municipality and the Florida DBPR. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Request a Rental Analysis
Considering a seasonal rental? Tell us about the residence and we will prepare a written analysis, confirm which rules apply, and quote a flat monthly fee. Complimentary and without obligation.
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