Sarasota, FL Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Initial application
- $500, nonrefundable
- Annual renewal
- $350
- Late/amendment fee
- $200 each
- Re-inspection
- $100 first, $200 after
Summary
City of Sarasota charges $500 for an initial vacation rental certificate, $350 to renew each year, and $200 late or amendment fees, on top of state and county lodging taxes.
All fees to be charged under the provisions of this chapter are set out in this section and are non-refundable. Such fees are as follows:
Application fee for an initial certificate of registration in accordance with section 34.5-4 or section 34.5-8 .....$500.00
Application fee for a renewed certificate of registration subsequent to the initial application in accordance with section 34.5-6 .....$350.00
Late fee for an untimely submitted application for an initial certificate of registration or a renewed certificate of registration .....$200.00
Application fee for an amended certificate of registration pursuant to section 34.5-7 .....$200.00
First re-inspection fee .....$100.00
Second and third re-inspection fees .....$200.00
(Ord. No. 21-5353, § 1, 5-4-21; Ord. No. 22-5392, § 1, 1-3-22; Ord. No. 23-5498, § 4, 11-6-23; Ord. No. 25-5560, § 1, 10-6-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
City of Sarasota Code § 34.5-11 sets a nonrefundable $500 application fee for an initial vacation rental certificate of registration, $350 for each annual renewal, and $200 for a late-filed application or a certificate amendment; re-inspection runs $100 for the first return visit and $200 for the second and third. These city fees sit on top of the tourist development and transient rental taxes owners must arrange to pay Sarasota County and the Florida Department of Revenue as a condition of registration under § 34.5-4(b)(8) and (10).
Violations & Fines
Failing to pay a scheduled fee stalls or voids the registration application; renting without the resulting valid certificate is a § 34.5-4(a) violation subject to fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a Sarasota vacation rental?
Does Sarasota's registration fee cover state and county lodging taxes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
How Sarasota compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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