Occupancy Limits: Sarasota vs Venice
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Sarasota, FL and Venice, FL?
Sarasota and Venice have similar restriction levels.
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota County
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.
View full Sarasota rules →Venice, FL
Sarasota County
Florida Statute 509.032(7) was amended in 2024 (SB 280) to allow local STR rules including maximum occupancy. Venice's BTR application requires the operator to specify the maximum occupancy, which must comply with the Florida Building Code based on sleeping-area size and means of egress.
View full Venice rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Sarasota | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| RSF Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2, or 10, whichever is less | - |
| RMF Cap | 12 per unit | - |
| Day Guests | Count toward cap | - |
| Advertised Occ. | Must match registration | - |
| Code | Ch. 34.5 | - |
| Authority | - | Fla. Stat. 509.032(7) (SB 280, 2024) |
| FBC | - | Sec. 1004 occupancy load |
| Rule of Thumb | - | 2/bedroom + 2 additional |
| Penalty | - | $500/day + BTR risk |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Sarasota FAQ
How many people can stay in a Sarasota STR?
In an RSF zone, two per bedroom plus two more or 10 total, whichever is less. So a 3-bedroom RSF rental tops out at 8 guests. In an RMF zone the cap is 12 per unit.
Do day guests count toward Sarasota STR occupancy?
Yes - the City's interpretation under Ch. 34.5 is that occupancy includes everyone present at the property, not just overnight guests. Plan parties accordingly.
Venice FAQ
Is there a hard cap on how many people can stay in a Venice Airbnb?
No fixed cap, but the BTR holder must declare a reasonable maximum based on bedroom count and Florida Building Code occupancy formulas (typically 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional).
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