Can You Rent in Pelican Marsh? How to Check the Rules

Heard three different answers about renting in Pelican Marsh? You are not alone. In this master-planned community, the right to lease depends on the exact neighborhood and the written rules that govern it. In this guide, you will learn how the rules are set, how to verify a specific home’s rentability, and what county and state requirements may apply. Let’s dive in.

How Pelican Marsh rental rules work

Pelican Marsh has a master association, often referred to as The Foundation of Pelican Marsh, plus many individual condo and HOA villages. Most leasing rules that affect your unit live in the sub-association’s governing documents, and the master association may have rules related to amenities and community use. You can confirm the master association’s corporate identity through Florida corporate records for the Pelican Marsh master association.

If you plan to offer short-term vacation rentals, county and state laws may also apply. In unincorporated Collier County, short-term rentals require registration with the county under Ordinance No. 2021-45. Florida law requires certain vacation rentals to hold a DBPR license and to display license numbers in ads. You can review county rules on the Collier County short-term vacation rental registration page and state requirements in Florida Statutes, Chapter 509.

Verify a specific home’s rentability

1) Confirm location and jurisdiction

Start with the property’s parcel record to confirm whether it lies in unincorporated Collier County or inside the City of Naples. The Collier County program applies only to unincorporated areas. The county advises using your property appraiser record or TRIM notice to confirm jurisdiction, which is outlined on the official Collier County STVR page.

2) Identify the association or village

Find the sub-association name and the master association. You can usually locate this in the deed, MLS remarks, or the property appraiser record. If it is not obvious, ask the seller’s agent for the association’s legal name and the property manager’s contact details.

3) Obtain the governing documents

Request current copies and review them for leasing language. Ask for:

• Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
• Bylaws
• Rules and Regulations and any leasing policy
• All amendments and board resolutions related to leasing
• Any tenant or lease application forms

You can get these from the association’s website or portal, the management company, or recorded documents through county records. Always work from the most recent versions and keep the PDFs for your files.

4) Ask targeted questions and get answers in writing

When you reach the association or manager, request written confirmation of:

• Whether leasing is allowed
• Minimum lease term and number of leases allowed per year
• Any waiting period after purchase before leasing is permitted
• Rental cap or percentage limit and the current count toward that cap
• What must be submitted for approval and how long approval takes
• Required fees, screenings, or orientations for tenants
• Whether renters may use amenities and any restrictions
• Remedies and fines for violations and whether a nonconforming lease can be denied
• For short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, whether the owner has the Collier County registration and a Florida DBPR license if required

5) If planning short-term rentals, verify county and state items

In unincorporated Collier County, confirm the property has or can obtain county registration. The county requires information such as a responsible party, business tax receipt, tourist tax account, and inclusion of the registration number in ads. Review details on the Collier County registration page. Cross-check state licensing and advertising rules in Chapter 509.

What to look for in the documents

Common provisions that shape your plan

• Minimum lease term: Many villages require a minimum such as 30, 90, 180 days, or longer. If a minimum exists, short stays are typically not allowed.
• Rental caps: Some associations limit the percentage of units that can be leased at one time. Ask for the current count to know if a new lease can be approved now.
• Waiting period after purchase: You may need to hold the property for a set time before leasing, often used to balance investor activity.
• Submission and approvals: Many associations require a copy of the lease, tenant information, screening, and a fee, with approval before move-in.
• Board discretion and enforcement: Documents may give the board approval rights and enforcement tools, including fines. Some require lease language that binds tenants to the rules.
• Amenity access: Tenant access to pools, clubs, or golf can vary. Confirm what renters can use and any guest limitations.

Red flags to escalate

• Verbal assurances without documents
• Referenced rules that are not provided or recorded
• Conflicting information between seller materials and association records
• A rental cap that is at or near capacity

County and state requirements to know

• Collier County registration: If the property is in unincorporated Collier County and meets the definition of a short-term vacation rental, county registration is required. The registration number must appear in advertising, and the county may issue citations for noncompliance. Learn more on the Collier County STVR page.
• Florida DBPR licensing and advertising: Many vacation rentals require a DBPR license, and ads must display license numbers. Platforms must verify license numbers under state law. See Florida Statutes, Chapter 509.
• Taxes: Expect to handle applicable state and local taxes. Collier County’s registration process references tourist tax accounts and related documentation.

Quick checklist you can use

• Confirm the property’s jurisdiction using your parcel record or TRIM notice.
• Identify the sub-association and the master association.
• Request the Declaration, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, all amendments, and lease forms.
• Get written answers on minimum lease term, caps, waiting periods, approvals, fees, and amenity access.
• If planning short-term rentals, review the Collier County registration requirements and Florida Chapter 509.

Simple email template to confirm the rules

Subject: Leasing rules and approval process for [Property Address]

Hello [Manager/Board],

I am confirming the current leasing rules for [Property Address], parcel ID [XXXX]. Would you please email the latest Declaration, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, amendments, and any leasing policy or forms? Also, can you confirm in writing: whether leasing is allowed, the minimum lease term, any waiting period after purchase, rental cap and current count, required submissions, approval timeline, tenant fees or screenings, renter amenity access, and fines for violations? If short-term rentals are allowed, please confirm whether county registration and a DBPR license are required.

Thank you, [Your Name]

Final thoughts and next steps

In Pelican Marsh, the only reliable answer to “can I rent this unit” is the one you verify in the recorded documents and in writing from the association. Confirm jurisdiction, gather the documents, ask direct questions, and cross-check any short-term requirements before you advertise or sign a lease. If you want a property that fits your lifestyle and leasing goals, experienced guidance can save time and risk.

If you are exploring Pelican Marsh or nearby Naples communities, connect with Laurie Bellico for discreet, knowledgeable representation and a calm, step-by-step approach.

FAQs

Can you do short-term rentals in Pelican Marsh?

• It depends on your sub-association’s minimum lease term and rules, and if in unincorporated Collier County you may also need to meet county registration requirements and any state licensing rules.

Are Pelican Marsh renters allowed to use amenities?

• Amenity access for tenants varies by village and by master rules, so ask the association to confirm tenant privileges and any guest limits in writing before you sign a lease.

Is Collier County registration required for a Pelican Marsh condo?

• Only if the property is in unincorporated Collier County and used as a short-term vacation rental under county definitions; properties inside the City of Naples are exempt from the county program per the county’s STVR page.

What minimum lease terms are common in Pelican Marsh villages?

• Minimums vary by association and can range from monthly to seasonal or longer; check your village’s Declaration and Rules for the exact minimum and how many leases per year are allowed.

What if a seller tells me leasing is allowed but the documents are unclear?

• Do not rely on verbal assurances; request the written rules and recorded amendments from the association or manager and get written confirmation of current leasing requirements before you proceed.