Bradenton, FL Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Bradenton does not print a dollar figure for its vacation rental fee. Section 22-59 says only that a schedule of fees is adopted by resolution of the city council and maintained by the city clerk, so the current amount is found in that resolution schedule, not in the Code of Ordinances. What the code does spell out is the money and tax paperwork that must accompany every application under section 22-52(b).

The application must include payment of the annual registration fee. It must also include a copy of the business tax receipt showing payment of the City of Bradenton local business tax for the current fiscal year, or other proof of payment. Two further tax items tie the rental to the county and the state: evidence of a current and active account with the county tax collector for collecting and remitting tourist development taxes and any other taxes remitted to that office, and a copy of the current and active certificate of registration with the state department of revenue showing registration for collecting and remitting sales taxes and transient rental taxes. Bradenton itself does not collect the occupancy tax under this article; it requires proof that the owner is set up with the county and state.

Money owed to the city can also block the certificate. Under section 22-52(c), an incomplete application gets 20 calendar days to supply missing information, pay any unpaid registration or inspection fees, or address code compliance penalties, and if that does not happen the application is deemed withdrawn. Section 22-53(a)(2) allows issuance only after the applicant has paid all required fees and any fines or penalties previously imposed on the unit, and section 22-53(d) holds an initial certificate while any penalties or unsatisfied liens remain. Section 22-54(b) applies the same test to renewals.

Renewal is annual: applications are filed between August 1 and October 1, and certificates expire on December 31. A change of ownership requires a new application within 15 days under section 22-56.