Lakewood Ranch Vacation Rental Rules

The finish tower on the rowing lake at Nathan Benderson Park, beside Lakewood Ranch, Florida, at golden hour

Unincorporated Manatee County (and partly Sarasota County)

Lakewood Ranch is a large master-planned community that straddles Manatee and Sarasota counties. Neither county currently requires a vacation-rental certificate, so here the binding limits usually come from the community associations, not the government.

Your HOA is the real gatekeeper

Lakewood Ranch villages are governed by detailed community associations that commonly set minimum-lease terms (often 30, 90, or 180 days or longer), tenant approval, and rental caps. These private rules are usually stricter than county zoning, so start by reading your association documents.

County registration: none yet, but watch Manatee

As of mid-2026, unincorporated Manatee County has no short-term-rental certificate, but it is actively drafting one that would add registration, a 12-person occupancy cap, and parking limits. The Sarasota County side has no certificate either. Monitor the Manatee proposal before relying on todays lighter rules.

State license and taxes

Sub-30-day operation still needs a Florida DBPR license. Stays of six months or less are taxable at about 13%, remitted to the county your parcel sits in (Manatee or Sarasota).

Frequently asked questions

Can I short-term rent in Lakewood Ranch?

County rules are currently light, but most Lakewood Ranch associations set minimum-lease terms that effectively prohibit short stays. Check your specific village documents first.

Is a county permit required?

Not today. Neither county requires a vacation-rental certificate yet, though Manatee County is drafting one. A state DBPR license and a county tourist-tax account still apply for sub-30-day rental.

Lakewood Ranch 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.

Last reviewed