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ABOUT SARASOTA
>> Newcomer Guide
Newcomer Guide
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 (PDF file). 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.
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.
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 January through Easter.
Accommodations
A wide variety
of accommodations are available, from campgrounds and cottages
to privately owned homes and luxury resort hotels.
State Parks
Myakka River
State Park (28,875 acres)
Oscar Scherer State Park
Enjoy bird-watching, biking, walking and camping amid
Florida's natural swamps, palmetto brush and pines. Myakka
State Park offers guided boat and train tours.
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
LIBRARIES
Selby Public Library
941-861-1100 |
Jacaranda Library
(Venice)
941-861-1260 |
Fruitville Library
941-861-2500 |
Longboat Key Library
941-383-2011 |
Gulf Gate Library
941-861-1230 |
Elsie Quick Library,
Englewood
941-861-1200 |
Venice Public Library
941-861-1330 |
North Port Library
941-861-1300 |
POLICE/SHERIFF
City of Sarasota Police
941-366-8000 |
Longboat Key Police
941-316-1977 |
City of Venice Police
941-486-2444 |
City of North Port Police
941-426-3111 |
Sarasota County Sheriff
941-951-5800 |
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POSTAL SERVICE
U.S. Post Office, 800-275-8777
TRANSPORTATION
Sarasota County Area Transit,
941-316-1234
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
941-359-2770
TRASH COLLECTION
City of Sarasota, 941-365-7651
Recycling, 941-953-6559
The Sarasota region abounds in
fine shopping destinations, including the world-class shops of
St. Armands Circle, the art and antique stores and chic
boutiques of downtown Sarasota, and nationally recognized
stores of Westfield Shopping Center Southgate and the family
friendly mall at Westfield Shopping Center Sarasota.
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