Sarasota vacation rentals: $600 renewal fee proposed, rules would reach downtown

Sarasota’s City Commission approved the first reading of two vacation rental ordinances on October 19, 2026, WTSP reports. Neither had final approval at that point, and both were expected back on November 2. We could not confirm the result of that meeting when this article was published, so check with the city before you rely on these numbers.

The proposed fees

According to the city’s documents, Ordinance 26-5613 would change the fee schedule like this:

• Initial application: $700 instead of $500
• Annual renewal: $600 instead of $350
• First re-inspection: $200 instead of $100
• No-show, denied access or a cancellation within two city business days of an inspection: a new $200 fee
• Change of designated responsible party: a new $50 fee

The city also proposes extending the look-back period for repeat violations from one year to five years. Staff say the fees would recover about 97.4% of recurring program costs of about $555,900 a year, including two new positions that still need separate approval. A representative of the Sarasota Realtors Association criticized the fees as a 70% increase in annual registration costs, WTSP reports, and commissioners asked the city manager to meet with stakeholders about reducing costs.

The Downtown Neighborhood zone

Ordinance 26-5602 would extend the rules to qualifying rentals in the Downtown Neighborhood (DTN) zone, which includes parts of Gillespie Park and Park East. City staff estimate that about 50 units may qualify. The proposed timeline: apply between January 1 and April 1, 2027, and hold a certificate of registration by July 1, 2027.

The standard occupancy limit would be two people per bedroom plus two per property, up to 12, not counting children under six. Rentals lawfully operating on the ordinance’s effective date may qualify for up to 16 people through December 31, 2028.

What does this mean for you?