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.
The two-per-bedroom-plus-two formula tracks Florida DBPR vacation rental occupancy guidance and is the strictest formula Sarasota could adopt under F.S. §509.032(7)(b). The 10-person ceiling in RSF zones intentionally limits party-house impacts in single-family neighborhoods, and the 12-person ceiling in RMF zones recognizes denser multifamily contexts. Occupancy includes day guests as well as overnight guests for the purpose of compliance; advertised occupancy on listing platforms must match the registered occupancy. Violation can be cited through Code Compliance without requiring the owner to be on-site.
Occupancy violations are Ch. 34.5 violations - cited through Code Compliance and the Special Master with daily fines up to $1,000/day for repeat violations under F.S. §162.09. Three substantiated violations in a 24-month period can trigger registration suspension or revocation.
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