Business Licensing & Operations in Sarasota, FL (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Sarasota, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
A sexually oriented business (an adult use establishment under Sarasota Zoning Code Article IV, Division 4) cannot open in the City of Sarasota without a $972 adult use permit from the department of building, zoning and code enforcement, and it must sit at least 600 feet from residential zoning, churches, schools, day cares and every other permitted adult use.
City of Sarasota Adult Use Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsSarasota Zoning Code § IV-404(a)-(b)
(a)No adult use shall be permitted at any location within 600 feet from the nearest property line of any real property zoned RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, RSF-4, RSF-E, RSM-9, RMF-1, RMF-2, RMF-3, RMF-4, RMF-5, RMF-6, RMF-7, RMF-R, or any real property upon which is located any church/synagogue, school, child care center or family day care center. The distance requirements of this subsection shall be me...
Massage Establishments
A City of Sarasota business offering massage or body rubs outside licensed massage therapy needs a $972 adult-use permit and must sit 600 feet from homes, schools, and churches.
Massage Business Permit Rules, City of Sarasota
Significant RestrictionsSarasota Zoning Code §§ II-201, IV-402, IV-404, IV-406
Physical culture establishment: Any business which offers or advertises massage, body rubs, or physical contact with specified anatomical areas. Businesses that routinely provide medical services by state licensed medical practitioners... and massage by licensed massage therapist shall be excluded from the definition of physical culture establishments. ... No adult use establishment or adult bu...
Pawnbrokers
A pawnbroker doing business inside the City of Sarasota must hold a local business tax receipt in the "Pawn brokers" classification, which carries an annual tax of $419.03 under City Code § 19-11(a)(41), on top of the same application, due-date and penalty rules that apply to every other taxed business in Chapter 19.
Pawnbroker Business Tax, City of Sarasota
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 19-11(a)(41); § 19-3(a)
Sec. 19-11. - Local business tax schedule. (a)The local business tax amounts, which shall be paid by every person engaging in or managing businesses, professions or occupations for which a local business tax receipt is required are hereby fixed as follows: BUSINESS TAX SCHEDULE [...] (41)Pawn brokers .....419.03 [...] Sec. 19-3. - Engaging in business without local business tax receipt. (a)It s...
Towing Companies
City of Sarasota wreckers must comply with Chapter 33's towing ordinance and state law before hooking a vehicle, file rate schedules with police, and are barred from immobilizing cars outside a private-property tow.
Sarasota Non-Consent Towing Ordinance
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 33-284(a)
No person shall carry, tow, or otherwise transport a vehicle for compensation when the point of origin of the tow or transportation is in the city without first complying with the provisions of this article and F.S. § 713 and 715, as amended, unless otherwise specifically provided herein.(b)No person shall immobilize a vehicle except when incident to the imminent towing of vehicle from private ...
Looking for Sarasota County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sarasota city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Sarasota County →