Austin vs Miami

Texas Legal but Limited | Florida Restricted

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Austin, Texas
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)
Tax Rate 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible
Miami, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee
Tax Rate 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement

Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for STR licensing, while Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee. Austin renewal is annual, and Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state). Overall, Austin has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Miami (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Austin, hosts pay 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state). In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Miami, but hosts in Austin must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Austin face penalties including $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. In Miami, violations can result in $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Austin Overview

Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.

Contact: Austin Code Department — 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000

Full Austin guide →

Miami Overview

STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.

Contact: Miami Planning & Zoning — (305) 416-1400

Full Miami guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Miami?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Miami is "Restricted." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee in Miami. Overall, Austin has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Miami?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). Notably, Miami benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Austin must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Austin and Miami have day limits for Airbnb?
Austin has no annual day limit. Miami has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Austin or Miami?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for permits with 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) in taxes. Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee with 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). Automatic tax collection in Miami makes compliance easier for beginners.