Austin vs Orlando

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
Orlando, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $100 city permit + state DBPR license
Tax Rate 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250–$500/day for code violations

Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for STR licensing, while Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license. Austin renewal is annual, and Orlando renewal is annual (city); biennial (state). Overall, Austin has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Orlando (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Austin, hosts pay 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state). In Orlando, hosts pay 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Orlando, 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 Orlando, violations can result in $250–$500/day for code violations. 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 →

Orlando Overview

STRs are prohibited in most single-family residential zoning districts. Allowed in tourist-commercial zones and some mixed-use areas. Florida state law preempts local bans enacted after June 2011, creating a complex legal landscape.

Contact: Orlando Permitting Services — (407) 246-2271

Full Orlando guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Orlando?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Orlando is "Restricted." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $100 city permit + state DBPR license in Orlando. Overall, Austin has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Orlando?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Orlando charges 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). Notably, Orlando 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. Orlando: $250–$500/day for code violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Austin and Orlando have day limits for Airbnb?
Austin has no annual day limit. Orlando has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Austin or Orlando?
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. Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license with 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). Automatic tax collection in Orlando makes compliance easier for beginners.