Thinking about listing your Bradenton home as a short‑term rental? The rules are clear and the city enforces them, so a smooth setup can save you time and money. You want great guest stays without headaches, and that starts with the right registrations, safety checks and tax steps. In this guide, you’ll learn the must‑dos to operate legally in the City of Bradenton and how to avoid common mistakes. Let’s dive in.
What counts as a short‑term rental
If you rent your property more than three times a year for periods under 30 days, the City of Bradenton treats it as a vacation rental and requires registration. The city’s guidance explains when registration applies and what you need to file. Review the city’s vacation rental brochure for the exact thresholds and documentation requirements in the application process found on the City of Bradenton vacation rental page.
- Learn more in the city’s registration guidance brochure and forms on the City of Bradenton’s Vacation Rentals page: Vacation Rentals page and Registration Guidance brochure.
Your compliance snapshot
Here are the core requirements to operate in Bradenton:
- Register each unit with the City of Bradenton and obtain a Certificate of Registration. Initial fee is $250 and annual renewal is $150. The certificate is unit‑specific and non‑transferable. See the city’s registration brochure.
- Hold the correct Florida DBPR license for a transient public lodging establishment if you rent more than three times per year for periods under 30 days. See the DBPR’s vacation rental guide: DBPR licensing overview.
- Register for state sales tax with the Florida Department of Revenue and keep your certificate with your city file. The city lists this in its application checklist.
- Register with the Manatee County Tax Collector to collect and remit the Tourist Development Tax (TDT). Manatee’s TDT is 6% effective January 1, 2025. File through the county’s portal: Tourist Tax portal.
- Designate a 24/7 responsible party who can answer calls and arrive at the property within one hour to address complaints. Details are in the city’s guidance brochure.
- Pass a city inspection for life‑safety and post required information inside the unit, including maximum occupancy, emergency contacts, evacuation plan, and parking and trash rules. See inspection and posting checklists in the city brochure.
Step‑by‑step setup checklist
Confirm your address is inside Bradenton city limits. City rules apply only within city boundaries. Start on the city’s Vacation Rentals page.
Get your DBPR vacation rental license. Follow the classifications and application steps in the DBPR licensing guide.
Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax. The city’s application checklist lists this certificate as required.
Open your Manatee County TDT account. File and pay through the county’s Tourist Tax portal. The county notes some platforms may not remit TDT for you, so confirm how your listing is handled.
Apply for the City of Bradenton Certificate of Registration. Gather required documents, floor plans and parking sketch, pay the $250 initial fee, and schedule the inspection using the city’s guidance brochure and forms.
Prepare for inspection and postings. Install life‑safety items per the checklist and post required notices, including occupancy, emergency info, parking, trash and evacuation plans.
Designate a reliable local contact. Your responsible party must answer 24/7 and be able to arrive within one hour when the city calls.
Check your HOA or condo rules. Associations can restrict or prohibit short‑term rentals even when the city allows them. Review your governing documents before you list.
Keep organized records. Save registrations, tax filings, inspection reports, rental agreements and communications with the city and tax authorities.
Review insurance coverage. Confirm your policy allows short‑term rental activity and consider higher liability limits consistent with vacation rental operations.
Occupancy, parking and posting rules
Bradenton sets maximum overnight occupancy using formulas in the ordinance. A common standard is two persons per bedroom plus two additional, or a calculation tied to square footage, with an overall cap. Pre‑existing rental agreements executed on or before February 9, 2022 may be exempt from new maximum occupancy limits. For exact calculations and any exemptions, see the city’s registration guidance brochure.
You must provide off‑street parking and show the spaces on your site plan. Keep the required certificate and house rules posted inside the unit and keep your emergency contacts current.
Taxes you must collect
- Florida sales and use tax applies to rentals of six months or less. The statewide base is 6% under Chapter 212. See the statute here: Florida Statutes Chapter 212.
- Manatee County’s Tourist Development Tax is 6% effective January 1, 2025. File through the county’s portal: Manatee County TDT.
Depending on local surtax, the combined sales tax in Manatee County is commonly applied as about 7% plus 6% TDT, for roughly 13% total on short‑term stays. For context on local rates, see the Manatee County page on combined sales tax rates, then confirm your specific address and whether your platform remits any taxes for you.
Example: On a $2,000 booking in 2025, budgeting ~13% would mean about $260 in taxes to collect and remit. Always confirm current rates and who remits what for your listing.
Enforcement and penalties
Bradenton operates a 24/7 complaint system and will contact your designated responsible party if an issue arises. You are expected to respond quickly, and the city may require your contact to arrive at the property within one hour. Review the city’s process on the Enforcement and Violations page.
Violations can result in fines, suspension of your registration and other remedies under city code and Florida law. The city’s ordinance and Chapter 162 procedures allow fines per day per offense and escalation for repeat issues. For the ordinance text, see Ordinance 3093.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Assuming your platform pays all taxes. Manatee County may not have automatic collection agreements for TDT. Confirm on the Tourist Tax portal.
- Naming an unreachable contact. Your responsible party must answer 24/7 and be able to show up fast.
- Skipping HOA review. Association rules can be more restrictive than city law.
- Missing updates after changes. Bedroom count, square footage, occupancy, parking layout or ownership changes can trigger amendments or a new inspection.
- Not posting house rules and emergency info. These postings are required and help prevent complaints.
Useful resources
- City how‑to and forms: Start on the Vacation Rentals page for the registration process and links to forms.
- Application checklist and inspection items: The city’s Registration Guidance brochure lists required documents, fees and checklists.
- DBPR licensing: Review classifications and steps in the DBPR vacation rental guide.
- County tourist tax: File TDT and review owner responsibilities on the Manatee County Tax Collector portal.
- Enforcement process: See complaint handling and host obligations on the city’s Enforcement and Violations page.
- Ordinance text: Read the city’s primary regulation in Ordinance 3093.
Ready to buy, sell or optimize a Bradenton property for short‑term rental potential with white‑glove guidance? Connect with Jo‑Lee Mansfield for local expertise and a lifestyle‑first strategy that fits your goals.
FAQs
What properties need a City of Bradenton short‑term rental registration?
- Any unit rented more than three times per year for stays under 30 days, or held out as regularly rented, must be registered with the city per its vacation rental rules.
Do I need a DBPR license to rent my condo in Bradenton?
- Yes, if you rent more than three times a year for periods under 30 days, you need the appropriate DBPR vacation rental license, and condo units are subject to city registration while your association’s rules may further restrict rentals.
How much tax should I charge guests in 2025?
- Plan for roughly 13% total on short stays, reflecting about 7% combined sales tax plus Manatee County’s 6% TDT effective January 1, 2025, then confirm exact rates and who remits on your listing.
What happens if guests get noisy at my Bradenton rental?
- The city’s 24/7 system notifies your designated responsible party, who must respond and, when required, arrive within one hour; failure to manage issues can lead to fines or suspension.
Do booking platforms collect Manatee County TDT for me?
- Not always—Manatee County notes it may not have automatic collection agreements with platforms, so you must verify whether your OTA remits TDT or collect and file it yourself.
