Sarasota County, FL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

5, Unfit or Unsafe Structures. It declares that 'all structures that are unsafe or unfit are nuisances' and unlawful, defining 'Unfit' as unsanitary, unsuitable, or improper for its intended occupancy, including habitable space that fails the minimum requirements of Chapters 12 and 34 of the Florida Building Code, and 'Unsafe' as structurally unstable, inadequately exited, a fire hazard, or otherwise dangerous to occupants because of inadequate maintenance, weather exposure, moisture intrusion, or structural decay. When the Building Official verifies such a condition, the owner of record gets a written notice describing the defects and a deadline to correct them (Sec.

3). If the structure is occupied when a 'This Structure is Unsafe and/or Unfit for Human Habitation' placard goes up, the occupants must vacate within 14 calendar days, and it becomes unlawful for anyone to occupy or re-let a placarded structure until it is repaired or demolished (Sec. 4). Owners who miss the correction deadline face a Condemnation Order and a published Notice of Intent to Demolish at least ten days before the county can demolish the structure by contract (Sec. 6), with the entire cost of demolition, asbestos abatement, lot re-sodding, and rodent extermination assessed against the property as a lien senior to every claim but property taxes, bearing ten percent annual interest (Sec.

9). Owners with justifiable hardship, including preserving a structure of historic or architectural value, may ask the Building Official in writing for a reasonable extension (Sec. 5), or enter a compliance agreement setting firm completion dates for permits and repairs (Sec. 10). Anyone aggrieved by a Condemnation Order or Notice of Intent to Demolish can appeal to the Sarasota County Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals within ten days of receiving it, after paying a filing fee set by resolution (Sec. 11).