Local Business Tax Receipts for Contractors Required inside City Limits

Every business that is operated from a location (a "primary place of business") within the City of Sarasota's City Limits must have a Local Business Tax Receipt, including State Registered, State Certified, specialty and other contractors. You need to contact the Local Business Tax Receipt team at 941-954-4186 to determine the zone in which your business is operated and apply for a Local Business Tax Receipt before you register with the City as a contractor. For most contractors, your Local Business Tax Receipt will cost around $50.00 per year depending on your business's location and classification.

Contractor Registration

The City of Sarasota no longer requires STATE REGISTERED or STATE CERTIFIED contractors to register with the City of Sarasota. You may obtain permits by appearing in person and presenting your credentials (certification or registration, proof of insurance and worker’s compensation insurance, (and letter of reciprocity for State Registered contractors) each time you apply for a permit. However, you are allowed to voluntarily register. Registering allows you to use authorized agents and to obtain permits without presenting your credentials in person for each permit.

Registering with the City of Sarasota allows you to keep your qualifications and insurance on file with the City throughout the year, and to use authorized agents. The fee for this service will be $25.00 per year. If you have questions about the City of Sarasota Contractor Registration service, please contact the Manager of Permits and Licensing at 941-954-4156. If you prefer to appear in person and present your credentials with each permit application, you will not need to register.

Your signature on the Contractor’s Affidavit must be SWORN AND NOTARIZED (our staff includes a notary public). An original application form may not be faxed. The original form must be mailed (Mailing address - City of Sarasota Building Dept., P.O. Box 1058, Sarasota, FL 34230) or brought in person to the City of Sarasota Building Department located in the City Hall Annex, 1565 1st. Street, Sarasota, FL 34236.

Renewals - You must renew your registration by October 1st every year.

Specialty Tradesperson Registration

A “Specialty Tradesperson” is anyone who performs work under contract within the City of Sarasota whose trade or craft is not certified or registered by the State of Florida. Per city ordinance, Specialty Tradespersons are required to register prior to pulling a permit or performing work. This primarily affects landscape contractors, tree removal services, painters, drywall contractors, framing contractors and other skilled craftsmen and craftswomen whose trade is not registered with the State. Please note that this is already in effect, and to obtain new permits, you will be required to register.

If your primary business location is within the City of Sarasota city limits, you must contact the City’s Local Business Tax Receipt team at 941-954-4186.

In addition to your occupational license (if your business is located within City limits), specialty tradespersons must provide proof of liability insurance ($50,000 per person / $100,000 per occurrence), proof of worker’s compensation insurance (or an exemption by the State of Florida Waiver Form BCM 204) and pay a registration fee of $75.00 per year. Registering as a Specialty Tradesperson includes the ability to use authorized agents as discussed above. If you have questions about the Specialty Tradesperson registration process, please contact the Manager of Permits and Licensing at 941-954-4156.

Commercial Vehicles

Please remember that the City of Sarasota Commercial Vehicle Ordinance is in full force. Please call our Code Compliance Inspectors at 941-954-4125 for details. In general, large or heavy equipment cannot be parked or stored in residential zones at all (except when in active use), and there are specific limits on signage, weight, length and height of commercial motor vehicles and trailers parked in residential zones.