LicensedRental

Florida county rules

Sarasota County, FL vacation rental rules and taxes

Sarasota County adds a 6% tourist tax on stays of six months or less, on top of 7% state sales tax. Airbnb collects it on its bookings; otherwise you register with the Tax Collector. The City of Sarasota requires a yearly vacation rental registration with a 7-night minimum; Venice bans new short-term rentals in single-family zones; Longboat Key requires 30-day stays outside tourism zones.

Checked against official sources November 4, 2026
Tourist development tax
6%
On stays of six months or less, on top of 7% state sales tax (6% plus the 1% county surtax).Source
Platforms
Airbnb collects it
On reservations of 182 nights or fewer.Source
Direct bookings
File by the 20th
Late returns owe 10% a month (minimum $50). File a zero return when you have no rentals.Source
DBPR renewal
December 1
District 7. Half-year fee from June 1.Source

What to do

  1. Register for the tourist tax if you take direct bookings

    Register with the Tax Collector through TouristExpress and with the Department of Revenue for sales tax. Whoever receives the rent, including a rental agent, collects and remits the tax by the 20th of the following month.Source

    Sarasota County tourist tax: new account →

  2. Then your city

    Rules differ a lot by city. Pick your area for its checklist.

Towns

Full guide

Longboat Key

On Longboat Key, rentals must be at least 30 consecutive days unless the property is grandfathered as a tourism use or in a tourism-zoned district. Any rental under six months needs a town Residential Rental Certificate of Registration and a business tax receipt. Fines are $100, $250, then $500.

Full guide

North Port

North Port has no vacation rental registration in its code; its zoning code sets parking for short-term rental units. You need the DBPR license and, for direct bookings, the county tourist tax account; Airbnb pays the tourist tax on its bookings.

Full guide

Sarasota (city)

The City of Sarasota requires a vacation rental certificate of registration for houses and small multifamily buildings (one to four units) rented for under 30 days: $500 to start and $350 to renew, each with an inspection, renewed by December 31. A 7-night minimum stay applies citywide, with up to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 overnight (max 10 in single-family zones, 12 in multifamily). Condos and owner-occupied homes are exempt.

Full guide

Unincorporated Sarasota

Outside the cities (Siesta Key, Casey Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Englewood, and more), Sarasota County has no vacation rental registration. Its zoning code treats a rental of under 30 days in a multifamily (RMF) district on the barrier islands as a residential use. You need the DBPR license and, for direct bookings, the tourist tax account.

Full guide

Venice

Venice allows no new short-term rentals (resort dwellings, under 30 days or a calendar month) in its RE and RSF single-family zoning districts. Existing legal resort dwellings must keep inspections current, post an 11-by-17-inch placard with a 24/7 contact and occupancy and parking limits, and provide one off-street space per bedroom.

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.