Who issues a beach wedding permit in Sarasota?

It depends on who manages the beach. Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach and the county's other coastal parks are managed by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, reachable on 941-861-PARK (7275). Beaches and parkland inside the City of Sarasota, including the Lido Key area, fall to the city's Office of Special Events on 941-263-6283.

How much does a Sarasota beach wedding permit cost?

Neither Sarasota County Parks nor the City of Sarasota publishes a flat beach wedding fee online. County charges depend on what you reserve, and city special event costs are invoiced after review. Confirm the current amount with the relevant office rather than relying on third-party figures, which vary widely.

Is there a surcharge on card payments to Sarasota County Parks?

Yes. Effective 1 February 2026, a 2.45% surcharge is automatically applied to all electronic payments made to Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources under Resolution No. 2025-165.

Can we have alcohol at a Sarasota County beach ceremony?

Only under a permit at an approved event. County park rules prohibit selling or distributing alcoholic beverages except as allowed by a permit, and glass containers of any kind are prohibited outright.

Sarasota County & City of Sarasota

Sarasota beach wedding permits

Sarasota works differently from Pinellas. There is no single published “beach wedding permit” with a price list — ceremonies are handled through park reservations and special event review, and which office you deal with depends on whether the beach is county or city. Here is how it actually breaks down.

Ask us about your beach All permit guides

County beaches go through Parks

Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach and the county’s other coastal parks are managed by Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

City land goes through Special Events

Anything on City of Sarasota property or city right-of-way is reviewed by the city’s Office of Special Events.

No flat fee is published

Neither office posts a single wedding price. Costs depend on what you reserve and what services the event needs, so ask for a current quote.

Card payments cost 2.45% more

Since 1 February 2026 a 2.45% surcharge applies to all electronic payments to county Parks under Resolution No. 2025-165.

Who to contact

Start by working out who manages the sand you want. If you are not sure, ask us — the boundary between county and city land is not obvious from the beach itself.

Authority	Covers	How it works	Contact
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources	Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach and other county coastal parks and pavilions	Ceremonies are arranged through park reservations rather than a standalone wedding permit page. Pavilions and facilities are booked through the county’s online reservation system. No flat wedding fee is published — call to confirm.	941-861-PARK (7275) parksonline@scgov.net Reservations →
City of Sarasota Office of Special Events	City-owned property and city-maintained right-of-way, including the Lido Key area	A special event is any organised activity on city property that needs city services beyond ordinary use, or a commercial vending permit (Municipal Code § 23-3.6). The process runs in six steps — meet the events team, apply, submit, pay the application fee, respond to review, then pay the invoice and receive the permit.	111 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota FL 34236 941-263-6283 specialevents@sarasotafl.gov Permit a special event →

A small ceremony may not trigger a city special event permit at all. The City of Sarasota defines a special event around requesting city services above ordinary use. A short barefoot ceremony for a handful of people is a very different proposition from an event with vendors, staging and amplified sound — worth confirming before you assume you need a permit, or assume you do not.

Rules that shape the setup

These come from Sarasota County’s published park and facility rules and affect what you can bring.

No glass containers of any kind — holding, drinking from, possessing or disposing of them is prohibited in county parks.
Alcohol only by permit. Selling or distributing alcoholic beverages is prohibited except as allowed by a permit at an approved event.
No overnight camping and no leaving vehicles or trailers unattended for more than 24 hours, which matters for anyone planning to stage décor the night before.
Card surcharge: 2.45% is added automatically to electronic payments to county Parks as of 1 February 2026.
Sea turtle nesting season brings lighting and setup restrictions to Gulf beaches through the warmer months, and stretches of Siesta Key are roped off seasonally for shorebird nesting. Confirm current dates and affected areas when you book.

Common questions

Why does this page not list a permit price?

Because neither authority publishes one. Sarasota County Parks posts a general fee schedule for shelters, rooms, fields and open spaces rather than a wedding rate, and City of Sarasota special events are invoiced after review. Third-party wedding sites quote figures ranging from about $50 to $700 for the same ceremony, which is exactly why we would rather send you to the office than repeat a number we cannot verify.

How far ahead should we start?

As soon as the date is reasonably firm. Popular sunset slots and access points go early, and city special events run through a multi-step review with a meeting at the start, so they are not a same-week proposition.

Is the permit included in your wedding package?

No. Beach permits and park reservations are arranged separately and paid to the county or city. We tell you which office applies, what they will ask for, and how their timing fits around your ceremony window.

Is this the same as a marriage licence?

No. A permit or reservation covers use of the location. A Florida marriage licence is separate paperwork issued by a county clerk, and it is what makes the marriage legal.

Planning a Sarasota ceremony?

Tell us the beach and date. We will confirm whether it is county or city land, who to apply to, and what they currently need from you.

Check your date Sarasota & Siesta Key locations

Last reviewed 12 August 2026 against the official Sarasota County Parks and City of Sarasota pages. Where an authority does not publish a wedding fee, this page says so rather than quoting an unverified figure. Rules and charges change — confirm with the issuing office before booking vendors.