Registration Guidance

• A current and valid license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Example: DBPR License).  Contact information for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can be found here.
• A current and active Certificate of Registration with the Florida Department of Revenue (Example - Florida Dept of Revenue Certificate)  Contact information for the Florida Department of Revenue can be found here.
• A current and active account with the Manatee County Tax Collector (Example: Manatee County Tax Collector Certificate)  The contact information for the Manatee County Tax Collector can be found here.  
• A current City of Bradenton Local Business Tax Receipt (Example: Local Business Tax Receipt)  Information relative to the need for a local business tax license and the application can be found here.
• A copy of a deed or tax bill showing proof of ownership of vacation rental (Example: Tax Bill)  (Example: Deed)
• A sample of your standard rental agreement 
• A copy of all pre-existing rental agreements 
• Signed Authorized Representative form (if applicable).  This form is only required if the owner of a vacation rental is appointing an authorized agent to act on their behalf in completing the Registration process.     Authorized Representative Form

Documentation specific to the property:

• The number of bedrooms and full bathrooms in the vacation rental 
• The maximum overnight occupancy number 
• The square footage of temperature-controlled living space 
• An exterior sketch of the vacation rental facility identifying all structures, pools, hot tubs, spas, fencing and uses, including specific areas provided for off street parking so that a fixed count of spaces and location can be determined.  The sketch may be hand drawn to a reasonable scale so long as sufficient for staff to determine compliance.  (For Condominiums, a sketch or an aerial of the complex that includes identification of the parking that is allotted to the vacation rental user.)
• An interior building sketch for each floor showing the floor plan layout and identifying all bedrooms, other rooms, exits, hallways and stairways and elevators as may be applicable.  The sketch may be hand drawn to reasonable scale, so long as sufficient for staff to determine compliance.

Vacation Rentals with Pre-existing Rental Agreements

Any pre-existing rental agreements that were fully executed on or before February 9, 2022 are exempt from the maximum occupancy limits.  Section 22-65.

Clicking on the links included in the paragraph below will bring you to that Section of the Code of Ordinances that explains what inspections are required. 

Upon the filing of an application for Certificate of Registration the vacation rental shall be subject to an inspection to verify compliance with the minimum safety requirements specified under Section 22-60 and minimum posting requirements specified under Section 22-61 and with any applicable provisions of applicable building codes, Fire Prevention Code and Property Maintenance Code in effect at the time the Certificate of Occupancy was issued pursuant to Section 22-58.  

Once your application has been deemed complete, you will be contacted by City staff via email to schedule an inspection.  The email will contain two checklists that outline what the inspectors will be checking for to ensure compliance.  If you wish to review those checklists in advance, please email VacationRentals@bradentonfl.gov to request copies.

A renewed Certificate of Registration will be required annually.

The renewed Certificate of Registration will require the current and active items listed below, the remaining documents required for the original Certificate will also need to be uploaded with the renewal application.    

Required for Renewal: 

• A current and valid license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Example: DBPR License)
• A current and active Certificate of Registration with the Florida Department of Revenue (Example - Florida Dept of Revenue Certificate
• A current and active account with the Manatee County Tax Collector (Example: Manatee County Tax Collector Certificate)
• A current City of Bradenton Local Business Tax Receipt (Example: Local Business Tax Receipt)

 An amendment to the Certificate of Registration is required if any of the following changes to the short-term vacation rental occur:

1. An increase in the number of bedrooms or bathrooms
2. An increase in the square footage of the vacation rental
3. An increase in the maximum occupancy
4. An increase in the number of parking spaces or change in location of the parking spaces from the original site sketch
5. Any other material modifications that increase the use or occupancy

A Certificate of Registration is non-transferable and non-assignable.  Certificates of Registration are only valid to the property owner as reflected on the application, and are only valid as to the specific property identified on the Certificate.

If ownership of the property changes, a new Certificate of Registration is required.

Upon any transfer of ownership of a short-term vacation rental, a new Certificate of Registration will be required under the name of the new owner within 15 days of transfer.

The owner of a short-term vacation rental must complete a Designation of Responsible Party form naming a single designated responsible party.  The Designation of Responsible Party form must be signed by the property owner and the designated responsible party must also sign acknowledging that he or she is aware of the requirements of a designated responsible party and agrees to serve in that capacity for the vacation rental listed on the form as set forth in Section 22-63.  This form is available for online completion through the Granicus Host Compliance platform by clicking on the Registration Application button on the Vacation Rental Home page.

Application Fee for an initial Certificate of Registration                        $250.00

Application Fee for a renewed Certificate of Registration                    $150.00

o    Completed Application

o    Owner Affidavit/Acknowledgment Form

o    Designated Responsible Party Form

o    Proof of Ownership - Deed or Tax Bill   (Example: Tax Bill)  (Example: Deed)

o    Authorized Representative Form.  Only required if the owner of a vacation rental is appointing an authorized agent to act on their behalf in completing the Registration process.                                     

o    A copy of City of Bradenton Business Tax Receipt (Example document)  Contact information for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can be found here.

o    A current & active license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment from the Manatee County Tax Collector (Example document)  The contact information for the Manatee County Tax Collector can be found here.  

o    A Current & active license as a Transient Public Lodging Establishment from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  Contact information for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can be found here.

o    A current Certificate of Registration from Florida Department of Revenue (Example document 1, Example document 2, or Example document 3)  Contact information for the Florida Department of Revenue can be found here.

o    Exterior Site Sketch (May be hand drawn)

o    Interior building sketch (May be hand drawn)

o    Blank rental agreement

o    Any pre-existing rental agreements