Many Mainland Vacation Rental Owners Remain Unregistered

Applicable Dates

February 5, 2024, City Commission extended Chapter 34.5 Vacation Rentals to the entire City. At that point, staff began identifying probable short rental properties on the mainland (approximately 650) and began notifying them of the requirement to register. They also updated their forms, website and other administrative processes.

July 1, 2024 – Registration Application Process opened

October 31, 2024 – Last Day Applications Can Be Submitted without a Late Fee

January 1, 2025 – Illegal to operate a Vacation Rental covered by the ordinance unless the registration has been applied for, inspected, approved and had a Certificate of Registration issued.

Where Are We?

Weekly Vacation Rental Registrations – as of 1/31/2025

Mainland Stats: As of January 31, 2025, there have been:

295 applications submitted, 160 have been issued Certificates, and the remainder are in process.
300+ more properties have been identified as vacation rentals that should have registered by December 31, 2024, and by ordinance may no longer operate.

What Can We Do?

CCNA Membership urged moving the Vacation Rental ordinance citywide, knowing that the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals some of which were operating without proper licensing from the State, not paying required County Bed Tax and/or violating the City’s “more than 7 days” minimum stay ordinance was destroying their neighborhoods, and in many ways caused a significant depletion of attainable housing for residents working in our community.

As Neighborhood Leaders we did not create this issue, but we must be part of the solution. This effort is significant to the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Please reach out to your membership and remind them of the key dates and provide whatever assistance or education they may need and have them CONTACT THE CITY.

Here are some informative City Website Links:

Email: VacationRentals@SarasotaFL.gov

or call (941) 263-6623 with any questions.