Sarasota and Anna Maria Island sit side by side but fall under different counties and a patchwork of city rules. Sarasota and Siesta Key are in Sarasota County, while Anna Maria Island's three cities (Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach) are in Manatee County. That split changes who you register with and which taxes Airbnb handles for you.
Florida state law limits how much local governments can restrict vacation rentals, but cities can still require registration, inspections and occupancy limits. As of 2026, the City of Sarasota requires a Vacation Rental Certificate for one to four family homes in residential zones, with a seven-night minimum stay, an occupancy cap of 10 in single-family zones and 12 in multifamily zones, and a pre-certificate inspection. The city lists a $500 initial fee and $350 renewal. Owner-occupied rentals, condos and rentals of 30 days or more are exempt. On the island, Holmes Beach requires a vacation rental certificate and inspection, and Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach have their own registration, inspection and occupancy ordinances. Check with each city before listing.
Taxes differ by county, which matters more here than almost anywhere. Both counties charge a 6% tourist development tax on top of Florida's 6% state transient rental tax and the county surtax. In Sarasota County, the Tax Collector says Airbnb and Vrbo remit the county tax if you rent only through those sites. In Manatee County, the Tax Collector states it has no agreements with any platform, so Anna Maria Island owners must register and remit the 6% tourist tax themselves, even on Airbnb bookings. Airbnb still handles the state portion.
We did not find a published local price survey, so compare at least two written quotes. Island homes are often larger, sleep more guests and include pools, outdoor showers and beach gear, all of which add time. Because many island and Sarasota city rentals book by the week, turnovers cluster on the same changeover days, and cleaners may charge more for tight same-day windows. Drive time across the bridges to the island is another factor teams build into pricing.
Winter and spring are peak, roughly January through April, when snowbirds and spring break crowds arrive. Summer brings Florida families, and fall is the quietest stretch. Hurricane season runs June through November, so your cleaning and co-hosting plan should cover storm prep and post-storm inspections. Line up reliable weekend changeover help well before January.
Not the county portion. Manatee County says it has no platform agreements, so owners remit the 6% tourist tax directly. Airbnb collects the state transient rental tax.
Not in residential zones covered by the certificate program. As of 2026, the city requires a minimum of seven nights. Condos are exempt from the certificate, though condo associations often set their own minimums.
Most whole-home vacation rentals in Florida also need a vacation rental license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Confirm your property's license type with DBPR.
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