Lakewood Ranch Rental Rules: What Investors Must Verify

Thinking about turning a Lakewood Ranch property into an income stream? The rules that apply to your exact address can unlock great returns or delay your launch. Between HOA policies, state licensing, local taxes, and possible city registrations, there is a lot to verify before you buy or advertise. This guide walks you through what to check, where to find it, and how to stay compliant in Lakewood Ranch. Let’s dive in.

Know who sets the rules

Florida regulates “public lodging” at the state level. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 509, the state licenses vacation rentals and generally preempts local governments from banning or limiting the duration and frequency of vacation rentals adopted after June 1, 2011. Review the state framework and confirm how your property would be classified by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Read Chapter 509 and the DBPR vacation rental guide.

Confirm your address jurisdiction

Lakewood Ranch spans unincorporated Manatee County and areas within nearby city limits. Your municipal jurisdiction matters because cities can require vacation-rental registration, inspections, occupancy limits, and 24/7 local contacts. As an example, the City of Bradenton vacation rental page outlines a Certificate of Registration, inspection, proof of state and county tax accounts, and annual renewal.

• First step: look up the parcel to confirm whether it sits in a city or unincorporated Manatee County. If it is inside a city, follow that city’s program.

HOA and village rules to check

Lakewood Ranch is a master-planned community made up of many villages with their own HOAs or COAs. The recorded CC&Rs and current HOA rules for your specific village control most leasing questions. The community’s FAQ notes that some villages allow short or seasonal rentals with minimums of 30 days, while many villages require longer minimums. Verify the exact minimum lease term, any rental caps, waiting periods for new owners, and tenant approval processes in your village. See the Lakewood Ranch community FAQ.

What to request from the seller or manager before you close:

• Declaration of Covenants (CC&Rs), bylaws, and current rules and regulations
• Written leasing policy, any rental-cap resolutions, and the current percent of units leased
• Any owner-occupancy requirements or waiting periods for new owners
• Tenant application steps, screening requirements, fees, and amenity access or club transfer rules
• Fine schedule, enforcement policies, recent minutes, and any pending amendments

Licensing and taxes for short stays

If you will rent for short periods and your use meets the definition of a transient public lodging establishment, you likely need a DBPR vacation-rental license. Confirm the requirement and, if applicable, obtain a license number before you advertise. Use the DBPR guide.

For rentals of six months or less, you must collect and remit Florida state sales tax and the Manatee County Tourist Development Tax (TDT). The Florida Administrative Code explains the six-month rule for transient accommodations. Review Rule 12A-1.061. In Manatee County, hosts register for TDT with the Tax Collector; the county increased the TDT effective January 1, 2025, and you should confirm the current rate and filing schedule on the county site. The Tax Collector’s help center is a good starting point for requirements and contacts: Manatee County Tax Collector help center.

City registration and inspections

If your Lakewood Ranch address falls within a city, you may need to complete a local registration and inspection before hosting. For example, Bradenton’s program requires a Certificate of Registration, inspection, proof of DBPR and Florida Department of Revenue accounts, proof of Manatee TDT registration, occupancy limits, and onsite posting of a 24/7 responsible contact. Start with the city’s page for current rules and applications: City of Bradenton vacation rentals.

Safety and insurance basics

Plan for life-safety and insurance requirements. Associations may require specific liability limits for rented units. DBPR rules and municipal codes can require smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers, pool safety features, posted occupancy limits, and, for certain buildings, periodic structural safety checks. Build inspection and insurance costs into your underwriting using the DBPR guidance.

Investor due-diligence checklist

Use this list to verify before you offer or list:

1. Property and jurisdiction

• Confirm whether the parcel is in a city or unincorporated Manatee County.
• Pull recorded covenants and title exceptions; look for any leasing restrictions.

2. HOA or village

• Collect the resale package: CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, leasing policy, rental-cap rules, budgets, minutes, insurance certificates.
• Ask the manager for the current percent of rented units, any waiting lists, and pending amendments.
• Confirm amenity access and transfer fees for tenants.

3. Licensing and taxes

• Determine if a DBPR vacation-rental license is required, then apply if needed.
• Register for Florida sales tax and set up returns for transient stays of six months or less.
• Register with the Manatee County Tax Collector for TDT and confirm the current rate; use the TDT registration portal.
• If inside a city, complete that city’s vacation-rental registration and inspection.

4. Operations and safety

• Schedule any required inspections and correct code issues.
• Obtain the right insurance for a leased or vacation-rental property.
• Prepare required postings, local contact information, and tenant onboarding steps.

5. Financial and enforcement risks

• Review the HOA fine schedule and enforcement authority.
• Ask about special assessments and proposed rule changes.
• Do not assume a platform will remit TDT or sales tax for you. Register and remit under your accounts.

Avoid common pitfalls

• Skipping the village CC&Rs. Minimum lease terms, rental caps, and tenant approvals often live in the Declaration and rules, not in listings or word of mouth.
• Advertising before you are licensed or registered. If a DBPR license or city registration applies, obtain it first.
• Misunderstanding taxes. For stays of six months or less, plan for both state sales tax and Manatee County TDT, and confirm the current percentages with the county.
• Overlooking occupancy and parking rules in city programs. Posting requirements and 24/7 contacts are common.

If you would like a second set of eyes on a specific Lakewood Ranch address, our team is here to help you confirm the rules and set up the right plan. Reach out to Ronnie DeWitt for local guidance, leasing setup, and property management support.

FAQs

What are the minimum lease lengths in Lakewood Ranch villages?

• Minimum lease periods vary by village. Some allow seasonal rentals with 30-day minimums, while many villages require longer terms, so read the CC&Rs and the current leasing policy for your specific community.

Do I need a Florida DBPR license for short-term rentals in Lakewood Ranch?

• If your use meets the definition of a transient public lodging establishment, a vacation-rental license is likely required, so confirm with the DBPR and obtain a license before advertising.

Which taxes apply to stays of six months or less in Manatee County?

• Expect to collect Florida state sales tax and the Manatee County Tourist Development Tax, then register and remit under your accounts and verify the current county rate before taking bookings.

Are there city registrations for Lakewood Ranch properties?

• Yes if the property sits in a city’s limits. For example, Bradenton requires registration, inspection, occupancy limits, and onsite postings, so always check the city’s program for your parcel.

Can my HOA prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them?

• Yes. Private CC&Rs can set minimum lease lengths, rental caps, and other leasing rules, which remain enforceable separate from local government regulations.