Sarasota, FL Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Door-to-door solicitor tax
- $8.56 annually
- Telephone solicitor tax
- $71.85 annually
- Penalty for no receipt
- 25% tax penalty plus § 1-11
- Receipt term
- October 1 to September 30
Summary
The City of Sarasota, Florida taxes and licenses door-to-door solicitors separately from telephone solicitors under its local business tax schedule, and operating without the paid receipt is a punishable code violation.
(a)The local business tax amounts, which shall be paid by every person engaging in or managing businesses, professions or occupations for which a local business tax receipt is required are hereby fixed as follows: ... (55)Solicitors: a.By telephone .....71.85b.Door to door .....8.56
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
Sarasota's local business tax schedule, City Code § 19-11(55), sets a separate tax category for door-to-door solicitors ($8.56) apart from telephone solicitors ($71.85). Under § 19-3, engaging in any business or occupation listed in § 19-11, including door-to-door solicitation, without first obtaining and paying for the local business tax receipt is unlawful, punishable under § 1-11 plus a 25 percent penalty on the tax owed. Receipts run annually from October 1 through September 30 and are issued by the building director.
Violations & Fines
Soliciting door-to-door in the City of Sarasota without a paid local business tax receipt is unlawful under § 19-3, exposing the solicitor to § 1-11 penalties, a 25 percent tax penalty, and civil penalties up to $250 if unpaid past 150 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sarasota require a license to go door-to-door selling?
What's the penalty for soliciting without the tax receipt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida soliciting & door-to-door overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.