AREA INFORMATION

Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Sarasota County Libraries
Englewood Chamber of Commerce
Englewood Florida Guide
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
State of Florida
Florida Restaurants Guide
Florida Golf Guide
Beach Vacation Guide
WOFL - (Fox)
WSPB 1450
The Weather Channel

Sarasota Arts Council
Circus Sarasota
Museum of Asian Art
Florida West Coast Symphony
Sarasota Ballet of Florida
Sarasota Opera
Asolo Center for Performing Arts
Florida Studio Theatre
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre
Ringling Museum of Art
Van Wezel
Players Theatre
Sarasota Jazz Club

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Sarasota County
Manatee County
Bradenton City
Englewood City
Venice City

HOSPITALS

Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Doctors Hospital

NEWSPAPERS

Anna Maria Sun
Bradenton Herald
East County Observer
Longboat Observer
North Port Sun Herald
Pelican Press
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Venice Gondolier

MAGAZINES

Sarasota Magazine
SRQ Magazine

RECREATION

Parks & Recreation
Sarasota Golf Courses
Sarasota Marinas
Bollettieri Tennis Academy
Sarasota Fishing
Sarasota Movie Theaters
Sarasota Baseball
Area Beaches

RESTAURANTS

SHOPPING

St. Armands Circle
Ellenton Outlet Mall

TRAVEL

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport
Maps & Driving Directions

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

CABLE 

Comcast Cable:
Sarasota, 941-371-6700
Venice, 941-484-0602
Englewood, 941-474-9561

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Sarasota County, 941-861-5300
Longboat Key, 941-316-1944
City of Venice, 941-480-3030 

HOSPITALS

Children's Hospital of Sarasota
941-927-8805
Bon Secures Venice Hospital
941-485-7711
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
941-342-1100
Englewood Community Hospital
941-475-6571
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
941-782-2100
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
941-917-9000

Poison Control
800-282-3171

QUICK FACTS

Location
Sarasota County is located on the Florida Gulf Coast between Tampa and Fort Myers. 

Communities in Sarasota County
Casey Key, Englewood, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Manasota Key, Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Siesta Key, St. Armands, Venice

Geography
573 square miles
35 miles of beachfront

Average Temperature Range
Annual: 61.2 – 83.8° F
January: 49.3 – 73.3° F
July: 71.6 – 91.7° F

Sarasota averages 361 annual days of sunshine

Average Annual Rainfall
52.08 inches

Population
More than 325,900 residents
Median age: 48.9 years

Major Access Roads
Interstate 75 and US Highway 41 (North-South)
University Parkway, Fruitville Road, Bee Ridge Road and Clark Road (East-West)

Airport
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located at the intersection of US 41 & University Parkway. (941) 359-5200

Peak Season
The area's peak season runs from February through Easter.

NEWCOMER INFORMATION

From finding the right schools to registering your vehicle, moving to a new area can be a challenging experience.  This relocation guide was prepared to help ease the transition.

RESIDENCY

To become an official Florida resident, file a declaration of domicile through the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 2000 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 362-4066.  You can download the form from www.sarasotaclerk.com.  A declaration of domicile is not an application for a homestead exemption.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND TAXES

Permanent Florida residents don't have to pay taxes on the first $25,000 of their home's appraised value.  To file for a homestead exemption, you must establish residency by Dec. 31 prior to the year you will claim exemption, then file for exemption in January or February.  Contact the Sarasota County Property Appraiser at 2001 Adams Lane, (941) 951-5650.

The Sarasota County property tax millage rate is among the lowest in the state. Florida has no personal income tax!

VEHICLE REGISTRATION/DRIVER'S LICENSE

New Florida residents must register their vehicles within 10 days of gaining employment, enrolling children in public school or establishing residency.  Register at the Sarasota Tax Collector’s office, 101 S. Washington Boulevard, (941) 362-9898.  Be prepared to show your current driver's license, proof of Florida auto insurance, prior registration certificate and ownership title.  The fee is based on the weight of the vehicle. Your automobile registration expires at midnight on your birthday. 

New Florida residents also must apply for a Florida driver's license within 30 days (but after they register their vehicle).  The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles is located at 601 S. Pompano Ave. S.  For an appointment, call (941) 361-6222.  Bring proof of your Florida vehicle registration, your out-of-state driver's license and your Social Security card.  If your out-of-state license is valid, you only need to take a vision test.  If your license is invalid, or if you are a first-time driver, a written exam and driver's test are required.  A copy of the Florida Driver Handbook is available at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/English. You must provide the vehicle for the driver’s test. 

VOTER REGISTRATION

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, a county resident and you will be at least 18 years old by the next election.  You can register at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office at 101 S. Washington St., (941) 951-5307, or you can register online at http://election.dos.state.fl.us.  You must submit your valid Florida driver's license number or Florida identification card number.  If you do not have either of these, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. Your voter registration card will be mailed to you.