Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bradenton, FL?

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Bradenton, Florida. The City of Bradenton permits short-term vacation rentals, commonly known as "transient public lodging establishments," which are defined as properties rented to guests more than three times per year for periods of less than 30 days. This has been explicitly permitted since February 9, 2022, when the City adopted Ordinance 3093, which added Article III to Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances to regulate short-term rental operations within City limits.

The City Council's goal was to preserve property owners' ability to operate short-term vacation rentals while maintaining neighborhood quality and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all residents.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bradenton

Step 1: Understand Legal Requirements

Before operating any short-term rental in Bradenton, you must obtain a Certificate of Registration from the City of Bradenton. This applies to all properties rented three or more times per year for stays of less than 30 days.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation

Gather all required documents before submitting your application, as the City will not consider your application complete until ALL documentation is submitted.

Step 3: Submit Registration Application

Complete your registration through the City's third-party vendor system at: secure.hostcompliance.com/bradenton-fl/permit-registration/welcome

Step 4: Prepare for Inspection

Once your application is deemed complete, City staff will contact you via email to schedule an inspection to verify compliance with minimum safety and posting requirements.

Step 5: Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Designate a responsible party, maintain compliance with all regulations, and renew your Certificate annually.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Bradenton Requirements

Certificate of Registration:

• Initial application fee: $250.00
• Annual renewal fee: $150.00
• Each property requires a separate certificate
• Certificate is non-transferable and non-assignable
• Non-renewable upon ownership change

Required Documentation:

1. Registration Application
2. Designated Responsible Party Form (must be signed by both property owner and designated responsible party)
3. Affidavit of Owner or Authorized Representative
4. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation License - Current and valid license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE)
5. Florida Department of Revenue Certificate - Current and active Certificate of Registration
6. Manatee County Tax Collector Account - Current and active account
7. City of Bradenton Local Business Tax Receipt - Current business tax certificate
8. Proof of Ownership - Copy of deed or tax bill
9. Standard Rental Agreement Sample (contact Airbnb or VRBO if applicable)
10. Pre-existing Rental Agreements (if any; if none, submit written statement)
11. Authorized Representative Form (if applicable)

Property-Specific Documentation:

• Number of bedrooms and full bathrooms
• Maximum overnight occupancy number
• Square footage of temperature-controlled living space
• Exterior Sketch - Identify all structures, pools, hot tubs, spas, fencing, and off-street parking areas
• Interior Building Sketch - Floor plan layout for each floor showing bedrooms, exits, hallways, stairways, elevators

State-Level Florida Requirements

Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE) License:

• Issued by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
• Required for all vacation rentals in Florida
• Contact: MyFloridaLicense.com

Department of Revenue Certificate:

• Current and active Certificate of Registration with Florida Department of Revenue
• Contact: Florida Dept. of Revenue - General Tax Administration (floridarevenue.com)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Bradenton Regulations

Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum occupancy is the lesser of:
  • Two (2) persons per bedroom plus two (2) additional persons, OR
  • One (1) person per 150 square feet of climate-controlled living space, OR
  • Twelve (12) persons maximum

Parking Requirements:

• Provide one off-street parking space for every four (4) persons of occupancy
• All vehicles must be parked within the driveway or designated parking areas
• Boats may not be parked in front of the house except for temporary loading, unloading, or cleaning
• Boats may be parked on the side of the house

Designated Responsible Party Requirements: The designated responsible party must:

1. Be available 24/7 by land line or mobile telephone
2. Be capable of handling issues arising from the vacation rental
3. Respond to complaints within one hour
4. Have authority to address safety issues, noise, or parking problems
5. Come to the property within one hour following notification
6. Receive service of legal notices on behalf of the owner
7. Exercise rights under Florida Statutes §§ 509.141, 509.142, and 509.143
8. Maintain interior posting requirements
9. Keep premises free of garbage and litter
10. Monitor the property at least once weekly when rented
11. Maintain records of all occupants and their information
12. Provide one week's written notice before resigning

Posting Requirements:

• Interior posting requirements must be maintained continuously
• Emergency evacuation plans must be posted
• Local contact information must be displayed

Pre-existing Rental Agreements:

• Any fully executed rental agreements dated on or before February 9, 2022, are exempt from maximum occupancy limits under Section 22-65

Amendments to Certificate of Registration: Required if any of the following changes occur:

• Increase in number of bedrooms or bathrooms
• Increase in square footage
• Increase in maximum occupancy
• Increase in number of parking spaces or change in parking location
• Any other material modifications that increase use or occupancy

County-Level Regulations

Manatee County: As of the provided information, Manatee County (unincorporated areas) does not have any short-term residential or vacation rental ordinances. This means properties outside city limits in Manatee County are not subject to county-level STR regulations, though state requirements still apply.

State-Level Florida Regulations

Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE) Requirements:

• All vacation rentals in Florida must obtain a TPLE license from DBPR
• This license is separate from and in addition to local registration requirements
• Must be maintained current and valid at all times
• Contact information and application available at MyFloridaLicense.com

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Bradenton - Vacation Rentals Department

Physical Address: 101 Old Main Street Bradenton, FL 34205 (At the corner of Old Main Street (12th St. W.) and Barcarrota Boulevard)

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Phone: 941-932-9400

Email: VacationRentals@bradentonfl.gov

Online Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/bradenton-fl/permit-registration/welcome

State-Level Contacts

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): Website: MyFloridaLicense.com License: Transient Public Lodging Establishment

Florida Department of Revenue: Website: floridarevenue.com Certificate: General Tax Administration

Manatee County Tax Collector: Online: secure.taxcollector.com/excise/

Source Links

Primary City Sources

• Bradenton Vacation Rentals Main Page: cityofbradenton.com/vacarentals
• Registration Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/bradenton-fl/permit-registration/welcome
• Requirements Page: cityofbradenton.com/index.asp?SEC=A3B62D5B-DF78-4A30-ABAB-3245259ED26C
• Enforcement & Violations: cityofbradenton.com/index.asp?SEC=A6DBCB33-E8E1-4394-912D-0B0336C778CE
• Registration Guidance Brochure: cityofbradenton.com/vertical/sites/%7B98CFEB92-7265-45CB-AF6F-7115C2CD7C81%7D/uploads/Vacation_Registration_Guidance_Brochure_with_Exhibits.pdf
• Self-Inspection Checklist: rebuildbradentonfl.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B98CFEB92-7265-45CB-AF6F-7115C2CD7C81%7D/uploads/Vacation_Rental_Self_Inspection_Checklist.pdf
• City Inspection Checklist: rebuildbradentonfl.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B98CFEB92-7265-45CB-AF6F-7115C2CD7C81%7D/uploads/City_of_Bradenton_Vacation_Rental_Checklist_second.pdf

State-Level Sources

• DBPR License Portal: myfloridalicense.com/
• Florida Department of Revenue: floridarevenue.com/

Local Business Tax Information

• Bradenton Local Business Tax: cityofbradenton.com/localbiztax
• Local Business Tax Receipt Example: cityofbradenton.com/vertical/Sites/%7B98CFEB92-7265-45CB-AF6F-7115C2CD7C81%7D/uploads/Local_Business_Tax_Receipt_-_Bradenton.pdf

Supporting Documentation

• Manatee County Tax Collector Account Example: cityofbradenton.com/vertical/Sites/%7B98CFEB92-7265-45CB-AF6F-7115C2CD7C81%7D/uploads/Manatee_County_Tax_Collector_Account_Redacted.pdf

Important Note: Regulations may change. Always verify current requirements with the City of Bradenton before making investment decisions. This guide is based on information available as of the provided content and should be supplemented with current city ordinance information.