Boston vs Miami

Massachusetts Legal but Limited | Florida Restricted

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

Boston, Massachusetts
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $25 registration fee
Tax Rate 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unregistered listing
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

Boston has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Boston charges $25 registration fee for STR licensing, while Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee. Boston renewal is annual, and Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state). Overall, Boston has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Miami (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Boston, hosts pay 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax. In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

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 Boston face penalties including $300/day for unregistered listing. 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.

Boston Overview

Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.

Contact: Boston Inspectional Services — (617) 635-5300

Full Boston 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 Boston or Miami?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Miami is "Restricted." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee in Miami. Overall, Boston has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Miami?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Boston and Miami have day limits for Airbnb?
Boston has no annual day limit. Miami has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Boston or Miami?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Boston charges $25 registration fee for permits with 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax 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 Boston and Miami makes compliance easier for beginners.