🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Sarasota, FL
Sarasota’s STR Law Gets a Tune-Up—But Whole Neighborhoods Are Still Left Out
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
Sarasota Tightens STR Rules—But Leaves Out Downtown Neighborhoods
Turns out “citywide” isn’t as all-encompassing as it sounds—at least not when it comes to Sarasota’s short-term rental ordinance.
On July 21, Sarasota city commissioners approved 14 updates to their vacation rental rules. It was supposed to be a cleanup effort—a round of clarifications aimed at making STR rules smoother and safer for everyone. But in the process, commissioners learned something surprising: the so-called citywide ordinance doesn’t actually apply to every neighborhood in the city.
The confusion stems from zoning. When Sarasota first expanded its STR ordinance beyond the barrier islands in early 2024, it followed the 2021 legislation model, which only applied to residential zones specifically homes with up to four units per lot. That left out properties in multi-use zones like Downtown Edge and Downtown Neighborhood, where residential and commercial uses mix. So technically, whole sections of the city—places like Gillespie Park—have been operating outside the STR ordinance all along.
That doesn’t sit well with neighborhood leaders. Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association President Kelly Brown told commissioners the number of Airbnbs on her street alone ballooned from two to 14 since she moved in. And enforcement? Spotty at best. “It’s weekends, it’s parties, and there’s no regard for the seven-day stay rule,” Brown said. Her request? Apply the ordinance to every neighborhood, not just the ones in traditional residential zones.
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The commission, clearly surprised, agreed in principle. But any changes to zoning coverage will take time. Retired City Attorney Robert Fournier, who helped craft the ordinance, advised the board to wait. His recommendation: let staff study how to extend protections to mixed-use areas and report back by year’s end.
In the meantime, the newly approved updates tighten up administrative and safety-related procedures for properties already under the ordinance. Among the highlights :
- Proof of owner-occupancy now requires a valid Homestead Exemption.
- Pool and spa rules now align with state safety standards.
- STR ads must meet clear guidelines and include proper disclosures.
- Hurricane evacuation maps and sound ordinance reminders must be posted inside rentals.
- Clarified inspection scheduling, contact protocols, and penalties for noncompliance.
Vice Mayor Debbie Trice, who led the motion to explore a broader amendment, put it plainly: “If we don’t include the other neighborhoods, we’re ignoring their needs.”
So while Sarasota’s STR ordinance is becoming more enforceable for some, others are still left in the regulatory dust. With a follow-up report expected before the year wraps, the city may soon revisit what “citywide” really means.
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