Anna Maria Island Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Vacation Rental Registration

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Allowed citywide; regulated in single-family and two-family residential dwelling zoning districts for rentals without on-site management.

Application Process

Register with the City of Anna Maria: submit vacation rental registration form, fee, DBPR transient public lodging license, Florida DOR certificate, Manatee County Tax Collector account, exterior site sketch, and interior floor sketch (online submission available). Annual inspection required; may not advertise or rent a new vacation rental until written authorization is received.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit: owner collects and remits the 6% Tourist Development Tax to the Manatee County Tax Collector and the 7% sales and use tax to the Florida Department of Revenue; platforms do not auto-remit.

Rental Limits

Anna Maria Island does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Lesser of: two persons per bedroom of 100+ sq ft plus one person per bedroom of 70-100 sq ft plus two persons; or eight total occupants per lot/structure. Not applied when owner-occupied.

Zoning & Restrictions

Regulated in single-family and two-family residential dwelling zoning districts; prohibition and duration/frequency limits preempted by Florida Statutes s. 509.032

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Anna Maria Island does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Compliance with Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Code and Life Safety Code
• At least one telephone with the ability to call 911 in each vacation rental
• Annual inspection to verify code compliance after initial registration and each renewal
• Building evacuation map (minimum 8.5" by 11") posted next to the interior door of each bedroom
• Posted information: owner/agent contact, maximum occupancy, trash pickup days/times, location of nearest hospital

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violations enforced through Chapter 2 Code Enforcement and fines set by city commission resolution; each day of operation without registration is a separate violation.

Platform Requirements

• No tax-collection agreements with third-party platforms
• Owner is responsible to collect and remit tourist tax (Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO not remitting on host's behalf).

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Anna Maria Island:

1. Meet safety requirements. Compliance with Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Code and Life Safety Code. At least one telephone with the ability to call 911 in each vacation rental. Annual inspection to verify code compliance after initial registration and each renewal. Building evacuation map (minimum 8.5" by 11") posted next to the interior door of each bedroom. Posted information: owner/agent contact, maximum occupancy, trash pickup days/times, location of nearest hospital.
2. Apply for Vacation Rental Registration. Submit application + $104.78 per allowed occupant fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Manatee County Tax Collector (tourist development tax); Florida Department of Revenue (sales and use tax).
4. Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. $104.78 per allowed occupant renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Anna Maria Island?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Anna Maria Island requires a Vacation Rental Registration.

Does Anna Maria Island require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Anna Maria Island allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Anna Maria Island?

Anna Maria Island does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Anna Maria Island?

Short-term rental stays in Anna Maria Island are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 6.0% Manatee County Tourist Development Tax + 7.0% Florida Sales and Use Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Anna Maria Island?

Violations enforced through Chapter 2 Code Enforcement and fines set by city commission resolution; each day of operation without registration is a separate violation.