Mainland Vacation Rental Owners - Deadline to Register was October 31st - Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations

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?

July 1 to October 31 is 123 days. As of October 18, 110 days into the process with only 13 days remaining:

24 Certificates have been Issued (3.7%)
65 applications submitted and under review (10.0%)
565 expected applicants not yet submitted (86.3%)

In talking with staff, Hannah Chabica, Supervisor, Vacation Rental Compliance reported this week “We made a recent PR release to social media which has spurred more correspondence and activity over the past several weeks. My staff is prepared to process applications, answer questions, address complaints, and to assist homeowners and their representatives throughout the application process. A key objective at this stage of implementation is continuously encouraging vacation rental owners and residents to contact our office for support.”

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.