Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Operator Program Permits

It is a pilot program to establish a formal permit process allowing legal operation of OUPV “6 Pack” charters and tour excursions from County parks within select locations in north and south county. 

The program would allow for two permits per business per zone (one vessel per permit). 

What is the current timeline for the permit program? 

The program is officially active under Invitation for Bids (IFB #262874FB), released on July 16, 2026.

Please note the following key deadlines:

· Questions Deadline: July 31, 2026, at 4:00 PM

· Bid Submission Deadline: August 18, 2026, at 2:30 PM

· Program Start: Following bid evaluations and formal contract awards.

The Board approved the pilot program on January 27, 2026. Staff is developing a scope of services for a future procurement solicitation. Based on current estimates, implementation within the next 9-12 months.

• Solicitation Development: 2-4 months
• Bid Process (including contract development): 3-4 months
• Program Start: 3 months post contract execution

The County will issue a formal solicitation through its standard procurement process. Visit scgov.net keyword “Procurement” to learn more about how to do business with the county.

Permit fees are established through a competitive bidding process.

· The minimum acceptable bid is $1,200.00 annually per permit.

· Any bid submitted below $1,200.00 will be deemed non-responsive and automatically disqualified.

· Permits are awarded to the highest responsive and responsible bidder for each specific location.

All bids must be submitted electronically through the County’s eProcurement Portal at procurement.opengov.com/portal/scgov.

Hard copy or email submissions will not be accepted.

The solicitation and bidding process will be managed by the Sarasota County Office of Financial Management - Procurement in accordance with County procurement procedures.

Yes. All County solicitations are conducted through a competitive, transparent process in accordance with County procurement policies.

At this time, eligibility is based on the criteria approved by the Board for the pilot program. Residency, property ownership, or tax status are not part of the eligibility criteria, however, if the pilot permit program were to be solicited as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), then local preference would be applicable, per section 2-2-15 of the Sarasota County Procurement Code. “Local business” means:

• The vendor has maintained a permanent physical business address located within the limits of either Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte County from which the vendor operates or performs business for at least one year prior to the submission of an offer to a Sarasota County solicitation.
• The vendor has at least five full-time employees or one principal officer at this location.
• If the business is located in Charlotte County, the vendor has paid local business tax in that County.

The pilot program, as approved, applies to Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Operators defined as operators holding a USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV 6-pack) license, which, by law, are limited to six or less passengers for hire. Eligible vendors must be a Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and/or Tour Operator, which is defined as: “Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Operator” is further defined to include the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV 6-pack) license, which allows up to six (6) paying passengers for hire, such as for charter fishing, sightseeing, or water-based recreation activities.
County code prohibits using parks for services for remuneration unless otherwise permitted. Sarasota County Code of Ordinances Chapter 90-33 (a) (5b) and (a)(12) specifically prohibits the following:

• a(5b.): “Parking or driving Vehicles or anchoring, docking, or mooring Watercraft for commercial purposes at any time unless authorized by permit or otherwise posted.”
• a(12): “The sale of food or drink of any kind, the sale or rental of kites, athletic equipment, sports equipment, or any other items or the provision of services for remuneration. Provided, however, that the County may issue a Permit, or enter into license agreements, leases or other agreements for the sale or rental of any of the above on such terms and conditions as the County shall deem proper and in the best interest of the citizens of the County.”

County code prohibits using parks for services for remuneration unless otherwise permitted. Only permitted vendors are authorized within the Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Permit Program permit holders will be authorized to utilize county parks.

Discussion regarding the inclusion of “bareboat” operators (demise agreements) in the proposed permit program went forward with a motion that was denied during the August 7, 2024, Task Force meeting. The proposed pilot permit program is only to include OUPV (Six-Pack). Eligible vendors must be a Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and/or Tour Operator, which is defined as: “Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Operator” is further defined to include the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV 6-pack) license, which allows up to six (6) paying passengers for hire, such as for charter fishing, sightseeing, or water-based recreation activities.

Operational details and permitted activities will be clearly outlined in the solicitation and contract documents once finalized. Staff understands that stakeholders have questions and concerns. Eligible vendors must be a Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and/or Tour Operator, which is defined as: “Commercial Water-based Charter Boat and Tour Operator” is further defined to include the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV 6-pack) license, which allows up to six (6) paying passengers for hire, such as for charter fishing, sightseeing, or water-based recreation activities.

 Yes, you can still launch your boat at a Sarasota County owned and/or managed boat ramp. These are operating as they always have. This includes no launching fees; and we partner with other agencies (i.e.: WCIND and FWC) to provide these opportunities to our community.

No. Your permit is tied to a specific "home" park designated during the bid award.

· You must conduct your primary commercial operations (including launching, retrieving, staging, and passenger staging) exclusively from the specific park location assigned to the permit.

· You may only pick up or drop off passengers at other County parks within your zone if it is secondary to a trip originating from or returning to your designated home park.