Last Updated: October 9, 2026
Fast answer: Anna Maria Island is three cities with three rulebooks. The City of Anna Maria requires a Vacation Rental Registration, and a new registration can't advertise or rent until it passes inspection. Holmes Beach requires a Vacation Rental Certificate for every rental and sets minimum stays by zoning: 30 days in R-1 and R-1AA, 7 days in R-2, R-3, and R-4, and daily in A-1. Bradenton Beach is its own city. On top of that, Manatee County says Airbnb and Vrbo don't collect its tourist tax for you.
I'm Troy Nowak, a licensed Florida real estate broker with Mangrove Bay Realty. I help people buy and sell short-term rentals on Anna Maria Island, in Bradenton, and across Pinellas County. On AMI the zoning district and the city matter more than the view.
Anna Maria Island is in Manatee County, not Pinellas County. Pinellas rules and links on this site apply only if you're comparing Pinellas options.
Review STR Deal: Send me the AMI address and asking price. I'll check which city it's in, the zoning minimum stay, registration status, flood, and whether the numbers work.
City of Anna Maria vacation rental rules
From the city's Vacation Rentals page. Fees are non-refundable, and the city runs applications through Citizenserve.
- Registration required. Submit the full application, pay the fee, then book the inspection.
- Documents: a current DBPR transient public lodging license, a current Florida Department of Revenue certificate of registration (the city notes this applies even if you only book through Airbnb or Vrbo), proof of an active Manatee County Tax Collector account, an exterior site sketch showing structures, pools, fencing, and each parking space, and an interior sketch of every floor.
- New registrations: you may not advertise or rent the property until it passes inspection.
- Renewals: file before your expiration date. The renewal inspection happens during the renewal period.
- Ownership changes: the city has a separate Change of Ownership form, plus a Change of Management form for a new agent.
- Required posting: the welcome and guest book information under the city's vacation rental ordinance (Chapter 108).
The city page doesn't list occupancy caps or minimum stays in plain text. Read Chapter 108 and verify with the city before you model guest count.
Holmes Beach vacation rental rules
From the city's Vacation Rental Certificates page:
| Zoning district | Minimum rental period |
|---|---|
| R-1 | 30 days. No more than one rental in any 30-day period |
| R-1AA | 30 days |
| R-2, R-3, R-4 | 7 days. No more than one rental in any 7-day period |
| A-1 | Daily |
- Vacation Rental Certificate required for all rental properties in the city, transient or not.
- Fees: $545 initial application (includes inspections), $545 renewal every two years, $50 first re-inspection, $75 second re-inspection, $50 to change the authorized agent.
- Annual fire inspection is listed among the city's supplemental requirements.
- The city publishes a searchable list of active vacation rentals, which is a quick way to check a seller's claim.
- R-1 nonconforming rentals have a 10-year "sunshine" provision in the Land Development Code (Article IV, Section 4.2(D)). Read it with counsel if a listing leans on grandfathered status.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach is a separate city. I haven't summarized its rules here. The Manatee County Tax Collector lists the Bradenton Beach City Hall contact for rental registration. Verify with the city directly.
Manatee County tourist tax
The Manatee County Tax Collector lists 13% total on short-term rentals: 6% tourist development tax and 7% Florida sales and use tax. The county says it is not contracted with Airbnb, Vrbo, or any other platform to collect the 6% tourist tax. You collect and remit it yourself or through your manager. You also need a DBPR vacation rental license and Department of Revenue registration.
What to check before you buy on AMI
- Which city, confirmed on the Manatee County Property Appraiser site.
- Zoning district (Holmes Beach especially). A 30-day R-1 house and a 7-day R-2 house are different investments.
- Registration or certificate status. Is it current? When does it renew? Any open code cases?
- Guest count and parking as registered, and what Chapter 108 or the Holmes Beach code allows.
- Tourist tax history. Ask for proof the seller filed and paid.
- Flood and insurance. It's a barrier island. Check the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get wind, flood, and liability quotes for rental use before you waive anything.
- Fallback. What does the house earn if you can only rent weekly or monthly?
If you're comparing Pinellas options, the Pinellas short-term rentals hub maps the county's stay rules by city, and the investor guide compares Pinellas neighborhoods by price, flood tier, and rental fit.
Selling an operating AMI rental
Buyers will ask for:
- The city registration or Vacation Rental Certificate, inspection history, and renewal date
- Zoning district and the minimum stay that applies
- DBPR license, Department of Revenue certificate, and Manatee tourist tax account with filing history
- 12 to 24 months of bookings, reviews, and future reservations
- Flood zone, elevation certificate if you have one, insurance history, and storm repair records
For a value read on the house itself, start with a home value check. If your buyer is also comparing Pinellas options, what transfers when you buy an operating Pinellas Airbnb covers the county side.
Review STR Deal: Selling on Anna Maria Island? Send me the address.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do daily Airbnb rentals in Holmes Beach?
Only in the A-1 district, per the city's zoning table. R-2, R-3, and R-4 have a 7-day minimum. R-1 and R-1AA have a 30-day minimum.
Do I need a license to rent my Anna Maria home on Airbnb?
Yes. The City of Anna Maria requires a Vacation Rental Registration, and new registrations can't advertise or rent until they pass inspection. You also need a DBPR license, a Department of Revenue certificate, and a Manatee County Tax Collector account.
Does Airbnb collect Manatee County tourist tax on AMI rentals?
The Manatee County Tax Collector says the county is not contracted with Airbnb, Vrbo, or other platforms to collect the 6% tourist development tax. Owners or their representatives must remit it directly.
How much is the Holmes Beach Vacation Rental Certificate?
The city lists $545 for the initial application (inspections included) and $545 for the renewal every two years, plus re-inspection and agent-change fees.
Official sources
- City of Anna Maria: Vacation Rentals
- City of Anna Maria: Chapter 108, Vacation Rentals (Municode)
- City of Holmes Beach: Vacation Rental Certificates
- Manatee County Tax Collector: Tourist Tax
- Florida DBPR vacation rental guide
- Florida Department of Revenue registration
- Manatee County Property Appraiser
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Review STR Deal with Troy
Buying or selling a short-term rental on Anna Maria Island? Send the address and your plan. I'll check the city, the zoning minimum stay, and the math.
Related: Bradenton STR guide · Tampa Bay STR realtor · Indian Rocks Beach Airbnb realtor · Clearwater Airbnb investment · Flood zones
Anna Maria Island is in Manatee County. The Indian Rocks Beach and Clearwater links above are Pinellas County pages, for comparison.
Educational real estate information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice. City rules, fees, tax rates, and FEMA maps change. Verify the exact parcel with the city, county, state, your insurer, and your association before you buy.