Sarasota, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Registered Sarasota-area rentals averaged $324 ADR, 43.2% occupancy and $3,942 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Sarasota, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Sarasota market area is 43%. average monthly revenue in the Sarasota market area is $3,942. average daily rate in the Sarasota market area is $324. the top operator in the Sarasota market area is AMI Locals with 517 listings. market score is 65/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the wider Sarasota market, which covers 13 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Sarasota.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile describes the Sarasota-Bradenton-North Port area STR market, a Gulf Coast region that includes Sarasota and nearby communities. Performance figures below reflect that shared area rather than Sarasota alone, while the regulations section covers Sarasota specifically. In September 2026 the area averaged an ADR of $324 and occupancy of 43.2%, which produced average monthly revenue of $3,942 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 10.0%, ADR rose 13.1% and revenue rose 22.9%. September is the weakest month of the year for occupancy in this market, so the 43.2% reading reflects the seasonal trough more than a structural problem. The longer view is stronger. Through the first nine months of 2026 the area averaged 64.2% occupancy, a $362 ADR and $6,115 in monthly revenue, compared with 62.3%, $319 and $5,209 for full-year 2025. Entire-home listings averaged a $330 ADR in September 2026. Demand rests on a large visitor base. Sarasota County recorded about 2.89 million visitors in fiscal year 2024, with a total economic impact of $4.03 billion and 24,100 local jobs supported. Visitation fell 5.6% that year as tourism normalized after the pandemic, and overnight stays totaled 3.28 million room nights. Feeder markets include Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Toronto, the United Kingdom and Germany. Beach visitors, arts and culture travelers and retirees seeking warm weather make up much of the audience, with Siesta Key Beach and The Ringling among the best-known draws. The city of Sarasota itself has a population of 57,943. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Sarasota, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 66% |
| Feb | 84% |
| Mar | 84% |
| Apr | 61% |
| May | 59% |
| Jun | 69% |
| Jul | 68% |
| Aug | 50% |
| Sep | 43% |
| Oct | 55% |
| Nov | 55% |
| Dec | 59% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Sarasota are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Sarasota market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Sarasota market as a whole, which includes Sarasota, so these counts are not Sarasota-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMI Locals | 517 | 14,805 | ★ 4.71 |
| 2 | SKLRP And LKV | 424 | 4,618 | ★ 4.71 |
| 3 | Evolve | 342 | 10,676 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 298 | 10,778 | ★ 4.50 |
| 5 | RVA Resort Vacations | 212 | 7,775 | ★ 4.50 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Sarasota?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Sarasota are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 23.5% |
| vrbo | 15.3% |
| both | 61.2% |
Home Value Trends (Sarasota)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Sarasota are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Sarasota — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Sarasota, but they are regulated at three levels and enforcement is rated strict. At the state level, a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental Dwelling license is required, with an annual fee of approximately $170 for a single unit. The City of Sarasota requires a Vacation Rental Certificate of Registration under Ordinance 24-5506 and Ordinance 25-5560. The initial fee is $500 and includes a safety inspection, with annual renewal at $350. Applications need proof of ownership, floor plans, a parking plan and emergency procedures, and a 24/7 responsible party must be able to reach the property within 1 hour. The minimum rental period is 7 full days and 7 full nights. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, not to exceed 10 in RSF zones and 12 in RMF zones. Owner-occupied properties are exempt, and condominium, cooperative and timeshare properties are exempt from city registration. Operating without a certificate since January 1, 2025 is a violation that can bring fines and cease-and-desist orders. Unincorporated Sarasota County applies a 30-day minimum in most residential zones, which effectively bars shorter stays, though some barrier island properties on Siesta Key, Casey Key and Manasota Key are excepted. The occupancy tax is listed at 6%. Ordinance 25-5560, adopted July 21, 2025, added evacuation route posting, formalized owner-occupancy proof through Homestead Exemption documentation, made fees nonrefundable and broadened the advertising definition to include online media. SB 280, which would have limited local regulation, was vetoed on June 27, 2024. Confirm zoning with Development Services before buying.
Market Comparison
The Sarasota-Bradenton-North Port area shows a split picture. September 2026 occupancy of 43.2% is the seasonal low, while the 2026 year-to-date occupancy is 64.2%. Rates are the clearer strength. The September ADR is $324, and the 2026 year-to-date ADR of $362 is higher still. Full-year 2025 occupancy was 62.3% at a $319 ADR. Higher rates come with higher costs, since the typical home value is $410,998 and registration, inspection and licensing add to the cost of compliance. Revenue growth of 22.9% year over year in September outpaces what the occupancy gain alone would suggest, because rate gains did much of the work. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Sarasota, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarasota, Florida
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