The Town of Longboat Key is committed to maintaining a beautiful residential community that enhances the quality and way of life.  The information on this page is designed to provide property owners with information on short term rentals for residentially-zoned properties and assist in achieving compliance with Town code by answering frequently asked questions on short term rentals.

FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS:

Q: Can I rent out my residentially zoned property?

A: Yes. However, unless the property is 'grandfathered' as a tourism use, or is in a tourism-zoned district, the minimum length of each individual rental period shall be at least 30 consecutive calendar days, one entire calendar month, or longer. If a rental is for a period of less than 6 months, the property or unit will need to register with the Town for a Residential Rental Certificate of Registration.

Q: Are there penalties for renting out residentially-zoned properties for periods less than 30 days?

A: Yes. Property owners, rental agents and even tenants may be issued a citation with fines of $100 for the 1st offense, $250 for the 2nd offense, and $500 for each subsequent offense.  Each day the property is rented in violation of the Town code is considered a separate offense.  In addition, any repeat violation may subject a property to additional fines in the form of a lien on the property.

Q: Are there any local taxes required for renting out a residential property?

A: Yes. Rentals of real property require registration with the Town prior to any business transactions and obtaining a Business Tax Receipt.  Additional county taxes may also apply.  For more information, please contact the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999.

Q: Who can I call if I suspect someone is renting out their residential property for less than 30-days?

A: You can call the Town of Longboat Key Code Enforcement at 941-316-1966 Ext. 2520.

Q: Where can I find out if my property is zoned or 'grandfathered' to allow rentals of periods less than 30 days?

A: You can look up your properties Zoning District here or you can call the Town of Longboat Key Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 941-316-1966.

Q: Where can I find out more about the Town's requirements?

A: Additional information on the Town's requirements are found in Chapter 158, Section 158.104 of the Town's code of ordinances.