If you're new in the area, or planning to move to the
Sarasota and Manatee County area - here's the information you'll need.
SEE A MAP OF THE SARASOTA / MANATEE
COUNTY AREA
AREA
BEACH GUIDE
Local Police and Fire Departments
Voter Registration
Drivers License
Vehicle Registration
Proof of Residency
Utilities
Schools
Housing
Homestead Exemption
Health and Medical
Fishing and Hunting
Licenses
Weather - Monthly Temperature & Rainfall
Population and
Demographics
Register to Vote:
Online Voter Registration Form
Sarasota County
Supervisor of Elections
website
(941) 861-8600
Manatee County
Supervisor of Elections
website
(941) 741-3823
Drivers License:
The State of Florida
requires newcomers who drive to apply for a Florida driver’s
license within 30 days of becoming a resident.
Drivers who
currently possess a valid out-of-state driver’s license and have
a driving record free of violations are only required to pass a
vision test. However, drivers who have offenses against their
license or drivers attempting to acquire a license for the first
time must also pass a written exam (based on the Florida
Driver’s Handbook) as well as a driving test.
Drivers License
Offices
Manatee County
Sarasota County
Registering Your Vehicle
Registration, tag and title services for cars, trucks, trailers
& vessels. Specialty tags, refunds, and disability parking
permits.
Sarasota County
(941) 861-8300 (3 locations, same phone #)
Sarasota -
8484 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota -
101 S. Washington Blvd.
Venice -
4000 S. Tamiami Trail
Manatee County
(941) 741-4800 (3 locations, same phone #)
Bradenton - 6807 State Road 70 E.
Bradenton - 819 U.S. Hwy 301 Blvd. W.
Bradenton - 415 10th St. W.
Palmetto - 1341 U.S. Hwy 301
Holmes Beach - 3340 E. Bay Dr
Proof of Residency
For most purposes, a utility bill with your name and address
shown is sufficient for proof of residency, however some
employers may require additional proof for newcomers.
You can file a
Declaration of Domicile at the
Clerk of Court.
Sarasota County Clerk of Court:
(941) 362-4066
2000 Main
Street - Sarasota
Manatee County Clerk of Court:
(941) 723-4551
1115 Manatee Avenue W. - Bradenton
Utilities
Gas:
TECO: (941) 342-4000
Electric:
FPL - Florida Power & Light: (941) 917-0708
Peace River Electric: (941) 755-4500
Telephone:
Verizon (serving most of the Sarasota/Manatee County area):
(800) 483-3000
Cable TV:
Sarasota County - Comcast (941) 371-6700
Manatee County - Time Warner (941) 748-1822
Internet
Service Providers:
Click Here for list
Schools
Sarasota and Manatee Counties are known for
their strong school systems which continually rank significantly
higher than the Florida state average.
Sarasota County School Board
Manatee
County School Board
List of
Public Schools
List of
Private and Parochial Schools
Housing
See our list of
Apartments
See our list of
Real Estate
Neighborhoods
See our list of
Moving Companies
Sarasota County
Dept. of Housing and Community Development -
Click Here
Manatee County
Dept. of Housing: (941) 756-3974
Homestead Exemption
The Homestead Exemption
is offered by the State of Florida and allows you to reduce your
property tax bill by claiming an exemption on the first $25,000
of your home's value.
You must file for
the exemption by March 1 of the year you are claiming the
exemption. You must have established residency in your
home by Dec. 31 of the prior year.
You may prove
residency with a voter registration card, a valid Florida
driver's license and titles and registration certificates for
motor vehicles you own. To prove that your residency was
established in the required timeframe, provide a recorded deed
for the home or a vehicle registration/title for a mobile home.
Contact the
Sarasota County Property Appraiser
(941)
861-8200
or the
Manatee
County Property Appraiser
(941) 748-8208
Medical
Services
Here's a list of many Health Related businesses and
organizations
Sarasota County
Health Dept. -
Click Here
Manatee County
Health Dept. (941) 748-0747
Fishing and Hunting
Licenses
Click here for information
or call 888-347-4356
Local license offices
Weather Statistics
Sarasota's Average Monthly
Temperatures & Rainfall*
