Thinking about renting your Anna Maria home to vacationers this season? Or buying a property you hope will pay its way when you are not in town? Short-term rentals can work well here, but the rules are layered and change over time. In this guide, you will learn how short-term rentals are regulated in the City of Anna Maria, what to verify before you buy or list, and the practical steps that help you stay compliant and protect your investment. Let’s dive in.
How Anna Maria regulates rentals
Short-term rentals on the island are regulated by multiple layers of government. You are responsible for following each one.
- State of Florida: Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes covers public lodging and sets the statewide framework that touches vacation rentals. The Florida Department of Revenue oversees sales tax on rentals. Guidance from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can apply in some lodging and life-safety situations.
- Manatee County: The county administers the Tourist Development Tax, often called the bed tax, and provides registration and filing instructions for hosts. County emergency management and health departments may also have relevant guidance for safety, septic, wastewater, and hurricane planning.
- City of Anna Maria: The city’s municipal code sets the local rules for licensing, occupancy, parking, noise, minimum stays, and code enforcement inside city limits.
Important distinction: Anna Maria Island includes three cities. The City of Anna Maria, the City of Holmes Beach, and the City of Bradenton Beach each set their own rules. Always confirm which city a property sits in before you assume what is allowed.
Registration and business licensing
Many municipalities require a local permit or registration for short-term rentals and a city business tax receipt. In the City of Anna Maria, you should verify:
- Whether a short-term rental registration or permit is required for your property.
- If a business tax receipt is needed, what the application requires, and the renewal timeframe.
- Whether you must name a local contact or manager available 24/7, and how to display any permit number in listings.
Why this matters: Missing a permit or business license can lead to fines or the loss of the right to rent. Having a local contact helps resolve issues quickly and keeps neighbors happy.
Taxes you must collect
Short-term rental income is typically taxable at both the state and county levels.
- Florida sales tax: Hosts generally must collect and remit Florida sales tax on transient rentals through the Florida Department of Revenue.
- Manatee County tourist development tax: The county levies a separate bed tax on short stays. Registration and regular filings are required.
- Platforms: Even if a booking platform collects some taxes for you, you are often still responsible for registering and filing as the owner. Confirm your obligations directly with state and county tax authorities.
Noncompliance can trigger back taxes, penalties, and interest. Build these taxes into your pricing and budget from day one.
Zoning, occupancy, and use
Before you buy or list, confirm that short-term rentals are an allowed use for the property’s zoning district in the City of Anna Maria.
- Verify allowed uses for the zoning category on the parcel.
- Check maximum occupancy. Many cities cap guests using formulas tied to bedrooms or square footage.
- Ask about limits on unrelated occupants or using accessory units as separate rentals.
If a neighborhood has a homeowners association, review covenants and bylaws. HOA rules can be stricter than city code and may limit or prohibit rentals.
Minimum stays and booking rules
Some municipalities set minimum-night stays or seasonal restrictions. Because rules can change, confirm the current minimum stay requirement for your address in the City of Anna Maria. Minimums directly affect your pricing strategy, turnover, and annual revenue projections. If you are buying with a specific cash-flow target, this is a critical early check.
Parking, noise, and house rules
On a barrier island, neighborhood impacts are top of mind. Expect clear rules and active enforcement around:
- Off-street parking requirements per bedroom or per dwelling.
- Street-parking limits and restrictions on commercial vehicles.
- Quiet hours, outdoor sound, and pool or yard use.
- Trash and recycling pickup days and container storage.
Many cities require you to post house rules and emergency contact information inside the home and include key rules in your listing. Clear guest communication reduces complaints and protects your permit status.
Safety and inspections
Safety comes first. Typical requirements to confirm include:
- Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Fire extinguishers and a posted evacuation plan.
- Occupant capacity signage and visible address numbers for responders.
- Compliance with any life-safety inspection schedules.
If the property is on septic, ask the county or utility provider about inspection or capacity limits. Also review floodplain rules and consult FEMA flood maps to understand insurance needs and building restrictions.
Insurance, lending, and HOAs
Short-term rental activity can change your risk profile and your approvals.
- Insurance: Many standard homeowners policies exclude or limit coverage for transient rentals. Get quotes for a policy or endorsement designed for short-term rental use before you host.
- Lending: If the property has a mortgage, confirm that your lender permits transient use and whether disclosure is required.
- HOAs: Association rules can overrule your plans. Review rental restrictions, minimum stays, application steps, and fines.
Gaps in coverage or violations of loan or HOA rules can be costly and may affect resale value.
Enforcement: how it works
Enforcement on barrier islands is often complaint driven. Common tools include administrative fines, daily penalties, and in serious cases permit suspension or revocation. Cities prioritize quick remedies for noise, parking, trash, and over-occupancy. Keep good records of permits, tax filings, guest communications, and corrective actions. Written documentation can help if a complaint arises.
Due diligence for buyers and sellers
Whether you are evaluating a purchase or preparing to sell a property with rental history, use this checklist to protect your position.
- Confirm the exact municipality for the address. Do not assume rules are the same across the island.
- Get the current zoning designation and verify short-term rentals are allowed at that property.
- Request city records: any active short-term rental permit, business tax receipt, and code compliance history.
- Review HOA covenants and bylaws for rental restrictions and processes.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax and with Manatee County for the tourist development tax, if applicable. Confirm filing frequency and due dates.
- Verify required life-safety equipment and any inspection requirements.
- Obtain insurance quotes that cover short-term rental use and confirm lender consent.
- Build an operations plan: local manager or contact, cleaning schedule, guest rules, parking instructions, and trash day reminders.
- Keep a file of permits, tax accounts, filings, and guest rules. Update it with each renewal or change.
What this means for your strategy
If you already own in the City of Anna Maria, a quick compliance audit can reduce risk and improve guest experience. Set minimum stays that match local rules, price with taxes in mind, and post clear house rules to prevent complaints. If you are buying, confirm zoning and minimum stays early, and underwrite revenue with conservative occupancy and premium insurance.
If you are selling a property with rental history, gather documentation now. Buyers will ask for permits, business tax receipts, inspection records, and proof of tax registration. Clean files can support value and speed up closing.
You do not have to navigate this alone. With decades of island market experience and a trusted vendor network, we help you verify the details, connect with the right local contacts, and build a stress-tested plan for hosting or selling. When you are ready to talk strategy, reach out to The Paxton Group.
FAQs
Can you run a short-term rental in the City of Anna Maria?
- It depends on the property’s zoning, any required city permits or business tax receipts, and HOA rules; confirm each item with city offices before you host.
Do Anna Maria rentals require tax collection?
- Yes, short-term rentals generally must collect Florida sales tax and the Manatee County tourist development tax; verify registration, rates, and filing schedules.
Is a local business license or permit needed in Anna Maria?
- Many cities require it; check with the City of Anna Maria for current short-term rental registration and business tax receipt requirements and fees.
Are there minimum-night stay rules on Anna Maria Island?
- Minimum stays are set by each city on the island and can change; confirm the current requirement for your address in the City of Anna Maria before accepting bookings.
How are complaints and violations handled in Anna Maria?
- Complaints typically go through city code enforcement; violations can lead to administrative fines and, for repeated issues, permit suspension or revocation.
What should buyers verify before closing on a vacation rental in Anna Maria?
- Municipal jurisdiction, zoning and allowed use, active permits, HOA restrictions, tax registrations, insurance coverage for short-term use, and any inspection or safety requirements.
