The City of Sarasota's Building Division is at 1575 2nd Street, 2nd floor, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941-263-6494). It handles permits for property inside city limits. The city links the Sarasota County Property Appraiser site, so you can check the parcel there first. For county context, see the Sarasota County page.
Contractor registration
The city's Contractor Registration Application (updated June 2025) covers every contractor who pulls permits:
| Point | City rule |
|---|---|
| Fee for state-certified contractors | None. You still complete the application and provide license and insurance |
| State-registered contractors | Must register, with proof of insurance and workers' comp |
| Contractor's Affidavit | Must be sworn and notarized. City staff include a notary ($4.00 fee) |
| How to submit | In person, or by email to CityPermits@sarasotafl.gov |
| Authorized agents | Up to four agents can pull permits for you, using the Agents Authorization form |
Insurance renewals and license updates go to the same address, CityPermits@sarasotafl.gov.
Online permits
Building and engineering permits are filed and paid through the city's online portal. You can search the permit database there by business name, owner, location or contractor. Private providers register through the same portal and can see permits where they are listed, log inspections and download plans. The permit search lets you pay permit balances, but the city notes that some residential permit data from before 1997 may not be available online, so request older records directly if you need them for an alteration. The building page also links checklists for common work, such as signs and temporary signs.
Business tax: city only
The city's building page notes that contractors and specialty tradespersons are subject to the Local Business Tax Receipt if their business is operated from a location inside City of Sarasota limits. For most contractors, the city says the cost is about $50 a year, depending on location and classification. Certificates run October 1 to September 30. The city mails a courtesy notice in July, and the tax is due by September 30. New applicants contact the City Business Tax Division at (941) 263-6469 or LocalBusinessTax@sarasotafl.gov.
There is no Sarasota County business tax for most businesses now. The County Commission repealed it on July 9, 2024. The only exception the Tax Collector notes is the tax on attorneys, which funds the law library.
FAQ
Does the city charge certified contractors to register? No. Certified contractors file the application with their license and insurance at no fee.
How many people can pull permits under my license? Up to four authorized agents.
Do I need a Sarasota County BTR? No. The county repealed its business tax in July 2024.
About the state exam
The state Business and Finance exam is a 120-question, open-book test. You need 70% to pass. Pearson VUE's exam performance reports show 11,266 graded attempts statewide in 2025 and a 56% pass rate for first-time takers.
Next step
City registration requires a state license. Each CILB construction license requires the state Business and Finance exam. See general contractor, pool and glass and glazing, then prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Sarasota: Building and Permitting
- City of Sarasota: Contractor Registration Application (updated 06/25)
- City of Sarasota: Portal Links (permits, private provider, business tax)
- City of Sarasota: Local Business Tax
- Sarasota County Tax Collector: County Business Tax Repealed
- DBPR Candidate Information Booklet, Construction (July 2024)
- DBPR Examinations at a Glance (June 2024)
- City of Sarasota: Permit Search