The Brief
- Northwest Bradenton Short-term vacation rentals face increased scrutiny as neighbors raise safety and noise concerns over high-occupancy properties.
- The West Manatee Fire District says rental property fires were reduced from 74% 3 years ago to 17% in 2025 through proactive inspections.
- More than 5300 short-term vacation rentals are in the West Manatee Fire District.
BRADENTON, Fla. – Residents are pushing for stricter code enforcement as short-term, high-occupancy vacation rentals expand into Northwest Bradenton.
Bradenton rental fire risks
What we know:
The West Manatee Fire District’s enforcement data revealed that three years ago, 74% of structure fires in single-family homes within the district occurred at transient public lodgings known as short-term vacation rentals. Over the past three years of inspecting and educating, fire officials successfully reduced that number to 17% in 2025, according to the fire district.
State statute requires fire districts like West Manatee Fire to perform safety inspections of anything that is rented for less than 30 days, more than 3 times in a calendar year.
Local neighborhood party houses
What they’re saying:…