Bulletin - Sarasota, FL News Today
Two ordinances approved on first reading would bring the Downtown Neighborhood zone under the city's registration program and raise fees to recover 97.4% of yearly program costs with a final vote set for November 2
Sarasota Advances Downtown Vacation Rental Rules and a $600 Renewal Fee
Two ordinances approved on first reading would bring the Downtown Neighborhood zone under the city's registration program and raise fees to recover 97.4% of yearly program costs with a final vote set for November 2
Photo by Tessa Edmiston on Unsplash
The Sarasota City Commission approved two vacation rental ordinances on first reading on October 19 that would extend the city’s registration, inspection and occupancy rules to the Downtown Neighborhood (DTN) zone district and raise fees for every registered rental in the city. Both measures return for final adoption on November 2 and commissioners asked the city manager to meet with stakeholders in the meantime on ways to reduce costs after industry representatives said the annual renewal charge would rise by about 70%.
Downtown rentals join the program
Ordinance No. 26-5602 extends Chapter 34.5 of the City Code to the DTN district, adding it to the single-family and multifamily residential zones the program has covered citywide since 2024. A September 2026 staff inventory counted about 60 advertised units across 46 parcels in the district although each still needs an eligibility check because owner-occupied homes, condominiums and stays of 30 days or longer fall outside the program.
DTN owners would apply between January 1 and April 1, 2027 and need a certificate of registration by July 1, 2027 while certificates issued before the end of 2027 would remain valid through December 31, 2028. Occupancy would be capped at two people per bedroom plus two or 12 people if that is lower, and children under six would not count. Rentals already operating lawfully when the ordinance takes effect could host up to 16 guests through 2028 but that allowance ends if the property is sold or records two adjudicated violations.
Higher fees for all registered rentals
Ordinance No. 26-5613 raises the initial application fee from $500 to $700 and the annual renewal from $350 to $600, and every re-inspection would cost $200 instead of $100 for the first visit. Owners would also pay a new $200 charge when an inspector is turned away, nobody appears or an inspection is cancelled within two business days along with $50 to change the designated responsible party.
Sarasota’s October 19, 2026 agenda request outlines proposed vacation rental fee increases, updated compliance requirements, and two additional staff positions to support the program’s projected 97.4% cost recovery. | Source: https://granicus-aasmp-peak-files.s3.amazonaws.com/
Staff recommended a uniform schedule over a tiered one after finding that larger homes do not take more staff time and projected $541,400 in yearly fee revenue against $555,861 in recurring costs that include two new compliance positions still awaiting separate budget approval. The program held 660 registration records as of October 2 up from 574 a year earlier.
Sarasota City Leaders to discuss short-term vacation rentals in today's meetinghttps://t.co/Ip9FvQQHsd
— Francesco Abbruzzino - The Suncoast News (@TheSuncoastNews) October 19, 2026
Tougher treatment of repeat violations
The same ordinance stretches the repeat-violation window from one year to five years so more cases would go directly to a special magistrate without the option to pay a fine first, and the magistrate can suspend a registration for 30 to 360 days. City staff noted that permanent revocation is not an option because state law bars local governments from prohibiting vacation rentals.
The ordinance also confirms that advertising rules cover online listings and proposes a trial period in which listings may show a higher guest count if they explain that the extra guests must be children under six and the owner files monthly occupancy reports with the city.
⦾ Status: Both ordinances passed first reading on October 19, 2026; final vote November 2
⦾ Who is covered: Vacation rentals in residential single-family and multifamily zones citywide plus the DTN district if Ordinance No. 26-5602 is adopted; owner-occupied homes and condominiums are exempt
⦾ DTN registration: Applications January 1 to April 1, 2027; certificate required by July 1, 2027
⦾ DTN occupancy: Two per bedroom plus two, up to 12; existing rentals up to 16 through December 31, 2028
⦾ Proposed fees: $700 initial; $600 renewal; $200 per re-inspection; $200 no-show or late cancellation; $200 late fee; $50 responsible party change
⦾ Fee effective date: On final adoption, for applications filed afterward
⦾ Penalties: Code enforcement fines; registration suspension of 30 to 360 days starting with a second violation; five-year repeat-violation window
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