At a glance
| Typical home value | $3,476,600 (+4.5% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Island in Sarasota Bay, south of the John Ringling Causeway between mainland Sarasota and St. Armands Key |
| Size | About 250 acres, created by dredge and fill in the late 1950s |
| ZIP code | 34236 |
| Association | Bird Key Homeowners Association, with deed restrictions dating from 1959, revived in 2008 and amended in 2013 |
| Leasing | Minimum 60 continuous days, no more than two leases a year, $600 lease fee |
| Building rules | No more than two stories and 37 feet to the highest ridge; construction must finish within 18 months |
About the island
Bird Key sits in Sarasota Bay, south of the John Ringling Causeway, between mainland Sarasota and St. Armands Key. It was created by dredge and fill in the late 1950s and was once the home of John Ringling North, nephew of John Ringling. It is inside the City of Sarasota, and its association office is at 100 Bird Key Drive, Sarasota, 34236.
The Bird Key Yacht Club is a separate organization from the homeowners association, so ask about its membership terms separately.
Prices on Bird Key
Zillow's typical value for Bird Key was $3,476,571 in August 2026, up 4.5% on a year, one of the stronger gains among the city's neighborhoods while the city as a whole fell 2.7%. The association treats canal and bayfront lots differently from interior garden lots, and prices differ too, so compare like with like. Our Sarasota waterfront homes guide explains how to price frontage and dock rights.
Association rules to read before you buy
In 2008 a majority of lot owners voted to revive Bird Key's original 1959 deed restrictions, and in 2013 the members amended the governing documents. The association's documents set out rules including:
- Leasing. A home cannot be leased for less than 60 continuous days or more than twice in a calendar year, and each lease carries a $600 fee.
- Sale transfers. Buyers submit a membership application, a copy of the signed contract with addenda, a $600 transfer fee and a notarized acknowledgment of the governing documents.
- Building height. No more than two stories and no more than 37 feet to the highest ridge line, measured from the street center line.
- Setbacks. 30 feet from the rear property line for canal and bayfront homes, measured from the face of the seawall.
- Construction time. Work must start within 90 days of the association permit and finish within 18 months, with limited paid extensions.
- Association permits. Docks, seawalls and seawall caps need association approval as well as city permits.
If you plan to renovate or rebuild, read the full handbook before you make an offer.
Taxes and flood exposure
Bird Key is inside the city, so on the 2025 roll it paid the countywide 11.4737 mills plus the city's 3.4078, about 14.88 mills in total. At that rate, each $1 million of taxable value costs about $14,882 a year. Hurricane Milton pushed water levels more than 8 feet above normal near Sarasota in October 2024, so ask about flood history, elevation and any repairs. See our Sarasota cost of living page for more on insurance.
Nearby, compare Lido Key and Harbor Acres.
Common questions
Can you rent out a home on Bird Key?+
Only within the association's rules. Bird Key's governing documents say a home cannot be leased for less than 60 continuous days or more than twice in a calendar year, and each lease requires a $600 fee and a lessee information form. Confirm the current rules with the Bird Key Homeowners Association before you buy.
How much do homes on Bird Key cost?+
Zillow's typical home value for Bird Key was $3,476,571 in August 2026, up 4.5% on a year earlier. Prices differ between waterfront and interior lots and between original and rebuilt homes, so ask a local agent for recent sales that match the frontage and size you want.
Is Bird Key in the City of Sarasota?+
Yes. Bird Key is inside the City of Sarasota, reached from the John Ringling Causeway, and uses ZIP code 34236. City parcels paid about 14.88 mills combined on the 2025 roll, including the city's 3.4078 mills, so each $1 million of taxable value cost about $14,882 before special districts.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bird Key
- Bird Key Homeowners Association
- Bird Key Homeowners Association: Handbook for Owners, Architects, Builders and Contractors (December 2025)
- Bird Key Homeowners Association: Lease requirements and lessee form
- Bird Key Homeowners Association: Sale and transfer requirements
- Bird Key Homeowners Association: 2013 governing documents letter
- Zillow Research: Home Value Index and market data (August 2026)
- Sarasota County Tax Collector: 2025 ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Milton