Short-Term Rentals in Sarasota, FL (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Sarasota, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
City of Sarasota vacation rental certificates are non-transferable, tied to one owner and one property, and a sale or ownership change voids the old certificate within 15 days.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Certificate Rules
Significant RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-8
Certificates of registration are non-transferable and non-assignable. The certificate of registration when issued shall pertain only to the property owner designated on the certificate for use at the one (1) specific property identified on the certificate... A new certificate of registration is required if ownership of the vacation rental changes from the owner(s) identified on the certificate.
Noise Rules
Every registered vacation rental in the City of Sarasota must post a quiet-hours notice inside the unit and tell guests that noise carrying past the property line is enforced under the city's sound ordinance.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Noise Notice
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-13(b)(3)-(4)
A notice of the need to respect the peace and quiet of neighborhood residents which shall state as follows: "You are vacationing in a residential neighborhood. Please be a good neighbor by not making excessive noise or engaging in boisterous behavior, especially after 11:00 p.m. Such behavior can deprive your neighbors of the peaceful enjoyment of their homes."(4)A statement that shall state as...
Taxes & Fees
City of Sarasota charges $500 for an initial vacation rental certificate, $350 to renew each year, and $200 late or amendment fees, on top of state and county lodging taxes.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Registration Fees
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-11
All fees to be charged under the provisions of this chapter are set out in this section and are non-refundable. Such fees are as follows: Application fee for an initial certificate of registration in accordance with section 34.5-4 or section 34.5-8 .....$500.00 Application fee for a renewed certificate of registration subsequent to the initial application in accordance with section 34.5-6...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
City of Sarasota vacation rental ordinance Sarasota City Code § 34.5-14 requires every vehicle tied to a vacation rental's occupants to park inside a driveway or parking area on the premises, never on the street shoulder or a neighbor's yard, and in compliance with every other applicable city parking ordinance. The registration file for the property sets how many vehicles that on-site area can legally hold.
Vacation Rental Parking Rules, City of Sarasota
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-14
Sec. 34.5-14. - Parking. All vehicles associated with the occupants of a vacation rental shall be parked within a driveway or parking area located on the premises and in compliance with all applicable city ordinances.
Occupancy Limits
City of Sarasota caps overnight vacation rental occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two, topping out at 10 in single-family zones and 12 in multi-family zones; children under six don't count.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-16(a)
Maximum occupancy for vacation rentals in residential single-family zone districts shall be two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property or ten (10) persons, whichever is less. Children under six (6) years of age shall not be included in the calculation of maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy for vacation rentals in residential multiple-family zone districts shall b...
Host Presence Rule
Vacation rentals in the City of Sarasota are exempt from the Ch. 34.5 registration and occupancy rules entirely when the owner lives on-site and is present throughout each guest's stay.
City of Sarasota Host-Presence Exemption
Few RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-2
This chapter is not intended to regulate and shall not apply to those rentals where the owner of the rental resides on the property and is present on site during a guest stay. This chapter is not intended to regulate and shall not apply to those rentals that are only rented for periods of thirty (30) days or more. (Ord. No. 21-5353, § 1, 5-4-21; Ord. No. 22-5392, § 1, 1-3-22; Ord. No. 24-550...
Repeat Violator Strikes
The City of Sarasota escalates vacation-rental suspensions for repeat offenders: no suspension on a first violation, then 30, 60, and 90 days for the second through fourth, capped at 360 days.
Sarasota STR Repeat-Violator Strikes
Significant RestrictionsSarasota City Code § 34.5-20(b)
(1)For a first violation of this chapter or other applicable city ordinance, suspension of a certificate of registration is not authorized.(2)Upon a second violation ..., the certificate of registration, if suspended, shall be suspended for a period of thirty (30) calendar days.(3)Upon a third violation ..., sixty (60) calendar days.(4)Upon a fourth violation ..., ninety (90) calendar days.(5)F...
Looking for Sarasota County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sarasota city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Sarasota County →