Please review the information provided below before proceeding with the application. 

Qualifying vacation rental units in single, two, three, and four-family dwellings within Residential Single and Multi-Family zone districts citywide require a certificate of registration to advertise or operate as a vacation rental. These requirements DO NOT apply to owner occupied vacation rentals, condominiums, cooperatives, or properties rented for 30 consecutive days or more. If you are unsure whether your property requires a certificate of registration, email vacationrentals@sarasotafl.gov and provide the address, or call 941-263-6623. All certificate of registrations must be renewed by no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which they were issued, even if this means the certificate is valid for less than one (1) year.

Download the full application packet containing all required forms and instructions in one convenient file: 

Initial Application Packet - includes application instructions and all required documents(PDF, 2MB)

OR                                                                             

 If you prefer to download forms separately, each form is available below:

Initial Application Form(PDF, 702KB)  
Declaration of Owner Form(PDF, 146KB)  
Designation of Responsible Party Form(PDF, 100KB)  
Inspection Checklist(PDF, 332KB)
Authorized Representative Form(PDF, 107KB) (only required if applying on behalf of the owner) 
Tax Remission Notary Template(PDF, 731KB)
Sample Interior Sketch(PDF, 68KB)
Sample Exterior Sketch(PDF, 76KB)
Fee Schedule(PDF, 128KB)
City of Sarasota Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) application(PDF, 252KB)  
(if the vacation rental has a current LBTR, provide a copy of the active certificate)

LINK TO NEW PORTAL EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY, RENEW, OR MANAGE A VACATION RENTAL CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION

If you wish to file in-person or via US mail, please gather all required documents and mail or deliver the completed application packet and payment to:

City of Sarasota Vacation Rentals
1575 2nd Street, 3rd Floor
Sarasota, FL 34236

Sec. 34.5-4. - Mandatory registration—Initial certificate of registration.

Please review the information provided below before proceeding with the application.

The annual renewal period for actively registered vacation rentals is July 1 - October 1. Applications submitted beyond the deadline will be assessed a late fee of $200.00. All certificate of registrations must be renewed by no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which they were issued, even if this means the certificate is valid for less than one (1) year. If the property has changed ownership since issuance of the initial certificate, a new initial certificate of registration application must be submitted. If you need assistance with the application, please email vacationrentals@sarasotafl.gov and provide the address, or call 941-263-6623.

Download the full renewal application packet containing all required forms and instructions in one convenient file: 

Renewal Application Packet - includes application instructions and all required documents(PDF, 291KB)

OR                                                                             

If any of the items listed in the application have changed since initial registration, you will need to provide the updated information. To download forms separately, each form is available below:

Renewal Application Form(PDF, 254KB)  
Declaration of Owner Form(PDF, 146KB)  
Designation of Responsible Party Form(PDF, 100KB)  
Inspection Checklist(PDF, 332KB)
Authorized Representative Form(PDF, 107KB)  (only required if applying on behalf of the owner) 
Tax Remission Notary Template(PDF, 731KB)
Sample Interior Sketch(PDF, 68KB)
Sample Exterior Sketch(PDF, 76KB)
Fee Schedule(PDF, 128KB)
City of Sarasota Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) application(PDF, 252KB) (if the vacation rental has a current LBTR, provide a copy of the active certificate)

LINK TO NEW PORTAL EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY, RENEW, OR MANAGE A VACATION RENTAL CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION

Alternatively:

1. Email completed Renewal Application Form and all supporting documentation to:  vacationrentals@sarasotafl.gov

2. Submit the completed renewal packet in-person or via US mail to:
City of Sarasota - Vacation Rentals, 1575 2nd Street, Third Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8AM-5PM.

The annual renewal application period for all registered vacation rentals is July 1 - October 1. The renewal application must be submitted within this time frame to avoid a $200.00 late filing fee. A renewed certificate of registration may require some additional documentation, but many of the items submitted with the initial application do not need to be resubmitted if the information on them is unchanged. Once reviewed, applicants will have twenty (20) days to provide any missing information or pay any outstanding fees. If missing information or unpaid fees are not resolved within twenty (20) days, your application will be deemed withdrawn and you will be required to submit a new application for review. Once the application is approved, you must contact the City within 30 days to schedule an inspection of the vacation rental. The inspection is not required to be completed within those 30 days, but it must be on the calendar.

An amendment of the initial or any renewed Certificate of Registration is required if any of the following changes to the vacation rental occur:

An application for an Amendment can be submitted via our online portal. Once the application has been reviewed, City staff will reach out if further information is needed.

• A change in ownership of a registered vacation rental requires the new owner to obtain a new initial certificate of registration.
• When a vacation rental is sold or ownership is transferred, the new owner must apply for an initial certificate prior to acquiring ownership or within fifteen (15) days from the date of the sale or transfer.
• A new inspection by the city is required to verify compliance with ordinance standards. 

• Certificates of Registration are non-transferable and non-assignable. 

City Code Section 34.5-8- Certificate of registration non-transferable, non-assignable. 

• A Change of Designation of Responsible Party Form must be signed and submitted to the City if an owner wishes to update the designated responsible party or parties for a registered vacation rental.
• The vacation rental owner(s) may:
  • Appoint themselves as the sole designated responsible party, or
  • Appoint themselves and one other person (maximum of two total), or
  • Designate someone else to act as the responsible party or parties on their behalf.
• If a property management company is designated:
  • The owner must name one or two specific individuals from that company to serve as the designated responsible parties.
  • The first and last name of the individual(s) signing the Form must be provided.

Click here to submit a Change of Designation of Responsible Party form 

 You will be notified via email if any further information is required to process the change of DRP. If you have any further questions, please call 941-263-6623. 

Inspections

Note: The fee for your initial inspection is included in the Application Fee for an initial or renewed vacation rental certificate of registration. Once the application has been approved and application fee has been paid, you must contact City staff to schedule the inspection. A vacation rental must be inspected prior to issuance of any initial or renewed certificate of registration. 

Vacation rentals must maintain compliance with all ordinance standards for advertisements. Any advertised listing(s) of the vacation rental shall: 

1. Display the City of Sarasota vacation rental certificate of registration number within all advertised listings of the vacation rental. The certificate number can be placed within the body of the vacation rental property description on all advertised listing(s). City Code Section 34.5-18 - Advertising.

2. Maintain compliance with the minimum stay requirement of seven (7) full days and seven (7) full nights.
City of Sarasota Zoning Code Section II-304(b) and Section VI-202(b). 

3. Display the accurate maximum occupancy limit for the vacation rental. Any advertised listing(s) of the vacation rental may not exceed the maximum occupancy limit listed on the certificate of registration for the property.
City Code Section 34.5-16. - Maximum occupancy. 

Prior to issuance of an initial or renewed certificate of registration, each vacation rental unit must be inspected to verify compliance with the minimum safety and informational requirements set forth by Chapter 34.5 and any other applicable City codes. The designated responsible party is responsible for scheduling and confirming all inspections required for this chapter. 

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE INSPECTION CHECKLIST(PDF, 332KB)

Maximum occupancy for vacation rentals is calculated based on the zone district and the number of bedrooms in the vacation rental. The maximum occupancy limit does not apply to children six (6) or under. 

Maximum occupancy in residential single-family (RSF) zone districts = ten (10) persons
The occupancy is calculated as two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property,
no more than ten (10) persons, whichever is less.

Maximum occupancy in residential multi-family (RMF) zone districts = twelve (12) persons
The occupancy is calculated as two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property,
no more than twelve (12) persons, whichever is less.   

Maximum occupancy means the maximum number of persons who may be occupants of a vacation rental at the same time between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Occupant means any person who is physically present within a vacation rental between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The maximum occupancy limit does not apply to children six (6) and under.

Bedroom means any room in a vacation rental which has a bed or other place for sleeping and a separate closet that is an integral part of the permanent construction within the bedroom or an en suite bathroom, but does not include a bathroom, a kitchen, a dining area or any main living area. If a room has been added, altered or converted without any required building permit having been issued, such room shall not be deemed a bedroom.

City Code Section 34.5-3. - Definitions.

City Code Section 34.5-16. - Maximum occupancy.

The minimum stay requirement for any short-term vacation rental unit located within the City limits of Sarasota is 7 Full Days and 7 Full Nights, as per City of Sarasota Zoning Code Section II-304(b)(1) and Section VI-202(b).

All vehicles associated with the occupants of a vacation rental shall be parked within a driveway or parking area located on the premises and in compliance with all applicable City ordinances. The number of vehicles and their parked location shall be consistent with the parking plan submitted and approved as part of the Certificate of Registration application.

Sec. 34.5-14. - Parking.

Vacation rentals must maintain continuous compliance with the provisions of Chapter 34.5 - Vacation rentals. Violations of this chapter include, but are not limited to, the following unlawful conduct: 

• It is unlawful to rent out a vacation rental without a current certificate of registration when required.
• It is unlawful to offer a vacation rental for rent or to advertise a vacation rental for rent without a current certificate of registration when required.
• It is unlawful to rent a vacation rental for occupancy in excess of the applicable maximum occupancy.
• It is unlawful to be an occupant of a vacation rental at any time that the number of occupants of the vacation rental exceeds its maximum occupancy.
• It is unlawful to fail to provide any of the information required to be provided to occupants of the vacation rental.
• It is unlawful to provide any false or misleading information in connection with any application for an initial or renewed certificate of registration, or for amendment of a certificate of registration as required by this Chapter.

** Note: Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate and distinct violation. **

The vacation rental owner is liable for any violations pertaining to the vacation rental. In addition, when two or more persons commit a violation, each violator shall be jointly and severally liable for any fines or penalties assessed. Any fines to occupants resulting from violations after the property owner or a designated responsible party was advised shall also be the responsibility of the property owner to pay.

All repeat violations of the same applicable Vacation Rental provision or other applicable City ordinance within a one-year period shall be scheduled for a hearing before the special magistrate and the repeat violator shall not have the option to pay a fine prior to the hearing.

Section 34.5-19. - Violations of this chapter.

Suspension of the Certificate of Registration

In addition to any fines and any other remedies provided by law, a special magistrate may, in his or her discretion, suspend an initial or renewed certificate of registration for a vacation rental upon request in accordance with the following suspension time frames:

A vacation rental may not host any occupants during any period when the certificate of registration for the vacation rental is suspended. Operation and hosting of occupants during any period of suspension is a separate violation. The suspension shall begin following notice, commencing either on the end of the current vacation rental lease period or within thirty (30) calendar days thereafter, or as otherwise determined by the special magistrate in order to avoid impairment of the validity of an executed rental agreement for the vacation rental. An application for a certificate of registration may be submitted during the period of suspension; however, no certificate of registration may be issued for the vacation rental until the period of suspension has expired.

City Code Section 34.5-20. - Suspension of certificate of registration. 

File a Complaint

If you would like to file a complaint with Code Compliance for a vacation rental, please visit our Citizen Connect Portal.

Alternatively, please email vacationrentals@sarasotafl.gov or call (941)263-6623. 
Per Senate Bill 60, effective July 1, 2021, anonymous code compliance complaints may no longer be submitted and investigated (unless the code inspector has reason to believe that the violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources).

Excessive Noise Information

The Code Compliance Division works together with Sarasota Police Department to enforce the city’s noise ordinance as set forth in Chapter 20 of the City of Sarasota Code of Ordinances. To file a noise complaint, please call the Sarasota Police Department non-emergency number at 941-316-1199.

Sea Turtle Lighting Information

The City of Sarasota has a partnership with Sarasota County to enforce issues related to sea turtle lighting here in our city limits. Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and runs through October 31. For questions or complaints about sea turtle lighting please call Sarasota County at 941-861-5000.