Austin vs Philadelphia
Texas Legal but Limited | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Austin, Texas | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) | $50 Limited Lodging license |
| Tax Rate | 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 180 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible | $300/day for unlicensed rental |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Austin guide →Philadelphia Overview
Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.
Full Philadelphia guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Philadelphia?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Philadelphia?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental.