Short-Term Rentals in Sarasota, FL (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Sarasota, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Sarasota Ch. 34.5 requires a Certificate of Registration plus a Local Business Tax Receipt before any short-term (under 30 days) rental can advertise or operate. The property must pass an inspection and the owner must designate a 24/7 responsible party who can physically reach the property within one hour.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Certificate of Registration Process
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
Vacation rentals in Sarasota must comply with Ch. 20 sound caps - especially the 65 dBA / 70 dBC nighttime amplified-sound limit at the property line. Ch. 34.5 makes the registered responsible party the legal recipient of noise complaints, with a 1-hour onsite response obligation.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Noise Compliance
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Vacation rentals in Sarasota must collect Florida 6% sales tax, Sarasota County 6% Tourist Development Tax (the 'Bed Tax'), and any local business tax. As of October 2024, F.S. §125.0104 allows counties to require platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo to collect and remit; Sarasota County's Bed Tax was 5% historically and adjusted in 2024.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Taxes and Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Ch. 34.5 requires registered vacation rentals to provide on-site or designated off-street parking sufficient for the registered occupancy. Street parking is permitted only where legal under Ch. 33, but cannot be relied upon to meet the STR parking quota.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Parking Requirements
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Ch. 34.5 caps occupancy in single-family residential zone districts at two people per bedroom plus two additional people, or 10 people total, whichever is less. In multi-family residential zones, the cap is 12 people per unit at any time.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsRegistration Rules
City of Sarasota Code Chapter 34.5 (Vacation Rentals) requires a Certificate of Registration for any short-term rental of single-family, duplex, triplex, or quadplex properties in Residential Single-Family (RSF) and Residential Multi-Family (RMF) zones. As of January 1, 2025, operating without an issued and inspected certificate is illegal.
Sarasota Vacation Rental Registration Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Sarasota County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sarasota city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Sarasota County →