Requirements and Standards for Vacation Rentals

Please review the information below to familiarize yourself with the requirements and standards for vacation rental compliance in the City of Sarasota: 

Minimum Safety and Informational Requirements:

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. 

For detailed information regarding these standards, click HERE to review the Inspection Checklist.

Parking:

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.

Advertising:

Any advertising of the vacation rental shall conform to the information submitted with the application for the certificate of registration.

• The City of Sarasota vacation rental certificate of registration number must be included on all advertised listings of the property.

• Any advertised listing of the vacation rental must comply with the minimum stay requirement of 7 full days and 7 full nights.

• Any advertised listing of the vacation rental may not exceed the maximum occupancy limit on the certificate of registration for the property.

The advertising of a vacation rental for an occupancy level that exceeds the maximum occupancy limit is a violation and is direct evidence of offering a property for rent as a vacation rental in violation of the maximum occupancy limits.  

 SINGLE FAMILY ZONE DISTRICTS:   

• Vacation rentals in residential single family zone districts shall be two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property or ten (10) persons, whichever is less. Children under six (6) years of age shall not be included in the calculation of maximum occupancy.   

MULTIPLE FAMILY ZONE DISTRICTS: 

• Vacation rentals in residential multiple family zone districts shall be two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons per property or twelve (12) persons, whichever is less. Children under six (6) years of age shall not be included in the calculation of maximum occupancy.

COASTAL ISLANDS OVERLAY DISTRICT:  

• As of December 31, 2024, the maximum occupancy for all vacation rentals within the Coastal Islands Overlay District in residential single-family zone districts shall be two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property or ten (10) persons, whichever is less. Children under six (6) years of age shall not be included in the calculation of maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy for vacation rentals in the Coastal Islands Overlay District in residential multiple-family zone districts shall be two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property or twelve (12) persons, whichever is less. Children under six (6) years of age shall not be included in the calculation of maximum occupancy.

PRE-EXISTING VACATION RENTALS PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 5, 2024 (ON THE MAINLAND OUTSIDE OF THE COASTAL ISLANDS OVERLAY DISTRICT): 

• Vacation rentals located on the mainland outside of the Coastal Islands Overlay District lawfully in existence prior to February 5, 2024, shall temporarily be capped at no more than sixteen (16) provided that all the requirements to obtain a certificate of registration in accordance with Section 34.5-5 are satisfied and a certificate of registration is issued. This maximum occupancy limit shall remain in effect from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
• From January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, the maximum occupancy shall be reduced from sixteen (16) to fourteen (14).
• After December 31, 2026, the maximum occupancy for all vacation rentals located on the mainland outside of the Coastal Islands Overlay District shall be as provided in subparagraph 34.5-16(a).