Bradenton Vacation Rental Rules
City of Bradenton (and unincorporated Manatee County)
Bradenton spans the City of Bradenton and parts of unincorporated Manatee County, and the rules differ sharply between them. Inside city limits, a registration certificate has been required since 2022. In unincorporated areas, there is no county certificate yet, though one is being drafted.
City of Bradenton certificate
Within city limits, a Vacation Rental Certificate of Registration is required (Ordinance 3093, effective August 1, 2022). It applies to units rented under 30 days more than three times a year. The initial fee is about $250 and renewal about $150; the certificate is unit-specific and non-transferable, renewed annually.
Occupancy and responsible party
Maximum occupancy is the lesser of two per bedroom plus two, one person per 150 square feet of living space, or 12 people, and your advertising may not exceed the registered maximum. You must designate a responsible party available 24/7 who can respond within one hour, pass a life-safety inspection, and post occupancy, parking, and trash information.
Unincorporated county: lighter, for now
Outside city limits in unincorporated Manatee County, there is currently no vacation-rental certificate, only the state license and tourist-tax account. Manatee County is drafting an ordinance (mid-2026) that would add county registration, a 12-person cap, and parking limits. Confirm whether your address is in the city or the county.
Taxes
Short stays carry about 13% total tax: the 6% Manatee Tourist Development Tax to the county Tax Collector, plus 7% state sales tax and surtax. The Manatee bed tax rose from 5% to 6% on January 1, 2025, and owners remit it themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to rent in Bradenton?
Inside the City of Bradenton, yes: a Certificate of Registration since 2022, with an inspection and annual renewal. In unincorporated Manatee County there is no county certificate yet.
How many guests are allowed in a city rental?
The lesser of two per bedroom plus two, one person per 150 square feet, or 12 people. Your listing cannot advertise more than the registered maximum.
Is the Manatee bed tax really 6%?
Yes. It increased from 5% to 6% on January 1, 2025 after voters approved a sixth penny, and you remit it directly to the Manatee County Tax Collector.
Bradenton vacation rentals ยท All vacation rental rules
This is general guidance for the Sarasota and Manatee County area, not legal advice. Rules change, and what applies to you depends on your exact parcel, its zoning, and your HOA or condo documents. Confirm current requirements with the city or county and the Florida DBPR before you advertise or rent.
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