Siesta Key Vacation Rental Rules
Unincorporated Sarasota County
Siesta Key sits in unincorporated Sarasota County, and that single fact drives everything. The county has no dedicated vacation-rental certificate, but its zoning code sets a 30-day minimum lease in residential districts, with one important exception for multi-family barrier-island parcels.
Where short stays are allowed
The county Unified Development Code (Section 124-131) sets a 30-day minimum in residential zones. The exception is Residential Multi-Family (RMF) zoning on the barrier islands, where rentals under 30 days are permitted. A single-family home on Siesta Key generally cannot be rented for under 30 days, while an RMF condo or multi-family unit often can. Confirm the parcel zoning before you list.
State license
If you rent under 30 days more than three times a year, Florida requires a DBPR vacation rental license. Sarasota County eliminated its local business tax in 2024, so no county business tax receipt is needed, but you do need the state license for transient operation.
Taxes
Stays of six months or less carry about 13% in total tax: 6% Florida sales tax, 1% Sarasota County surtax, and the 6% Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax. Open a tourist-tax account with the Sarasota County Tax Collector and remit the bed tax yourself.
The mid-term path
Because the county zoning floor is 30 days, mid-term stays of 30 or more days are the clean, compliant option for a single-family home here, and they fit the traveling-professional and snowbird market well. Stays of six months or less are still taxable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run an Airbnb on Siesta Key?
It depends on zoning. Rentals under 30 days are allowed on RMF multi-family barrier-island parcels, but not on single-family homes in residential zones, which face a 30-day minimum.
Do I need a county permit for Siesta Key?
There is no unincorporated-county vacation-rental certificate. You need a Florida DBPR license for sub-30-day rental and a Sarasota County tourist-tax account.
Is Siesta Key part of the City of Sarasota?
No. Siesta Key is unincorporated Sarasota County, so county zoning rules apply, not the city certificate program.
More about Siesta Key
Siesta Key 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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