Anna Maria Island, FL Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Regulations 2026
Everything you need to know about operating a legal short-term rental in Anna Maria Island, Florida. Licensing, taxes, zoning, and 2026 compliance requirements.
Anna Maria Island STR Regulation Overview
Anna Maria Island is one of Florida's premium Gulf Coast vacation rental markets, and its regulatory landscape is unusually fragmented because the island is split among three separate municipalities: the City of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Each city runs its own vacation rental registration program layered on top of a required state DBPR transient lodging license and a Manatee County tourist tax account. Florida's preemption law (FS 509.032) blocks cities from banning rentals outright or regulating their duration and frequency, so investors cannot be zoned out entirely, but ordinances grandfathered before June 1, 2011 remain in force and impose real friction in Anna Maria: per-occupant registration fees, annual code inspections, and strict occupancy formulas tied to bedroom square footage. There is no primary-residence requirement, so non-resident investors are welcome. With sky-high nightly rates and strong seasonal demand from March peaks, the island remains one of the most lucrative small STR markets in the state for owners willing to navigate the multi-jurisdiction compliance burden.
Anna Maria Island STR Quick Facts
| STR Legal? | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| License Cost | ~$94/allowed occupant/year (City of Anna Maria; $93.92 for 2024-25, reset annually) |
| Lodging Tax | 13% combined |
| Occupancy / Density Caps | City of Anna Maria caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom of 100+ sq ft, plus one per bedroom 70-100 sq ft, up to a maximum of eight occupants per unit. No island-wide cap on the number of rentals. |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
Three cities, three rulebooks
Anna Maria Island is not a single jurisdiction. Properties fall under the City of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach, each with its own registration package, fee schedule, and inspection process. Confirm which city governs a specific address before buying.
State and county licensing required
Every operator needs an active Florida DBPR transient public lodging license plus a Manatee County Tax Collector tourist tax account and state sales tax registration. These must be in place before a city will accept a vacation rental registration.
Per-occupant registration fees
The City of Anna Maria charges its registration fee on a per-allowed-occupant basis, $93.92 per occupant for the 2024-25 fiscal year after an 11.5% increase. Fees are reset annually to cover inspection and enforcement costs, so verify the current figure with the city.
Strict occupancy formula
In the City of Anna Maria, occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom of 100 sq ft or larger, plus one person per bedroom of 70-100 sq ft, never exceeding eight total occupants per unit. The permitted maximum must be posted in the rental.
Mandatory annual inspection
The City of Anna Maria requires an annual code-compliance and safety inspection, requested by email, before a property can be advertised or rented. Holmes Beach issues a two-year vacation rental certificate and inspects units before they hit the market.
Minimum-stay rules vary by zone
Holmes Beach ties minimum rental length to zoning, with some districts requiring 30-day minimums and others permitting one-week rentals. The City of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach set their own occupancy and rental terms, so check the local code for the exact district.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Short-term rentals are legal in all three island cities, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Florida's state preemption law (FS 509.032) prevents cities from banning rentals outright, but each city requires registration, and operators must also hold a state DBPR license and a Manatee County tourist tax account before advertising.
You need a Florida DBPR transient public lodging license, a Manatee County Tax Collector tourist tax account, a Florida sales tax registration, and a vacation rental registration with the specific city your property sits in. The city registration must be approved, and most properties require an inspection, before you can legally advertise.
The City of Anna Maria charges its registration fee per allowed occupant, $93.92 per occupant for the 2024-25 fiscal year following an 11.5% increase. Because the cap is eight occupants, a fully occupied home can owe several hundred dollars annually. Fees reset each year, so confirm the current rate with the city.
Stays of six months or less are subject to a combined 13% lodging tax: 7% Florida state sales and use tax plus a 6% Manatee County Tourist Development Tax. The county rate rose from 5% to 6% on January 1, 2025. Owners collect these taxes from guests and remit them to the state and county.
Yes. The City of Anna Maria caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom of 100 square feet or larger, plus one person per bedroom between 70 and 100 square feet, with an absolute maximum of eight occupants per unit. The permitted occupancy must be listed on your registration and posted inside the rental.
Informational only — verify current rules with local authorities before investing. Sources: www.cityofannamaria.com · library.municode.com · www.islander.org · www.taxcollector.com · helpcenter.taxcollector.com
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