Short-Term Rentals in Manatee County, FL (2026)

5 rules for unincorporated Manatee County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Manatee County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Unincorporated Manatee County has no adopted STR registration ordinance as of mid-2026. A draft ordinance (proposed June 2026) would require registration with a $250 initial fee and $150 annual renewal, but it was not adopted before the county's summer recess.

Manatee County STR registration rules

Some Restrictions

FS 509.032(7)(b)

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Manatee County charges a 6% Tourist Development Tax on rentals of six months or less (raised from 5% effective Jan 1, 2025), remitted to the county Tax Collector, plus 7% state sales/use tax, about 13% total. Authorized by FS 125.0104.

Manatee County tourist (bed) tax on vacation rentals

Some Restrictions

FS 125.0104(3)(a)

It is declared to be the intent of the Legislature that every person who rents, leases, or lets for consideration any living quarters or accommodations ... for a term of 6 months or less is exercising a privilege which is subject to taxation under this section.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Manatee County cannot set minimum-night or maximum-night limits on vacation rentals. Florida FS 509.032(7)(b) expressly bars local governments from regulating the duration or frequency of vacation rentals, so nightly and short-stay rentals are permitted.

Minimum-stay / night caps for Manatee County STRs

Some Restrictions

FS 509.032(7)(b)

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

No. Manatee County does not require the host to be on-site during a short-term rental. Florida preemption (FS 509.032(7)(b)) means the county cannot force host presence. A proposed ordinance would only require a reachable 24/7 responsible party, not physical presence.

Is a host required to be present for STRs?

Some Restrictions

FS 509.032(7)(b)

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

No. Manatee County does not require a short-term rental to be your primary residence, and Florida law forbids local governments from banning non-owner-occupied vacation rentals. Whole-home, investor-owned rentals are permitted under FS 509.032(7)(b).

Primary-residence requirement for STRs in Manatee County

Some Restrictions

FS 509.032(7)(b)

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Manatee County ordinances

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