Living or sleeping in a parked vehicle, RV, or boat on a residential lot or public right-of-way is generally prohibited in Sarasota under the Zoning Code and Ch. 33. Florida HB 1365 (effective Oct. 1, 2024) authorizes counties and cities to designate sanctioned camping areas; Sarasota County has not designated any such area within City limits.
Sarasota's Zoning Code limits residential occupancy to permanent dwelling units; living in a vehicle on a residential lot violates the Code unless authorized through a Ch. 34.5 vacation rental or specific zoning approval. Ch. 33 prohibits camping in vehicles on rights-of-way; overnight parking in marked no-camping zones is also prohibited. Florida HB 1365 (codified at F.S. §125.0231) authorized counties/cities to designate sanctioned camping properties and now requires enforcement of public-property camping bans. The Sarasota Police Department leads encampment outreach in coordination with social-service providers.
Sleeping-in-vehicle citations are typically issued by SPD under Ch. 33 or applicable state-law trespass provisions. Repeat violations can result in towing and impoundment under F.S. §705.103. Code Compliance handles Zoning Code violations on private property with civil penalties up to $500/offense.
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