Columbus vs Key West

Ohio Legal with Permit | Florida Restricted

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

Columbus, Ohio
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary)
Tax Rate 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation
Key West, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee
Tax Rate 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate

Columbus has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) for STR licensing, while Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee. Columbus renewal is annual, and Key West renewal is annual. Overall, Columbus has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Key West (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Columbus, hosts pay 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). 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 Columbus face penalties including Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. In Key West, violations can result in Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Columbus Overview

Governed by Columbus Code Chapter 598; BCI background check required. Properties must be in eligible zoning district.

Contact: Dept. of Building and Zoning Services — (614) 645-8366

Full Columbus guide →

Key West Overview

Moratorium on new transient rental licenses — only grandfathered properties may operate STRs under 28 days. Existing licenses are property-specific and command $400K+ on the secondary market. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Contact: Key West Licensing Division — (305) 809-3959

Full Key West guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Columbus or Key West?
Columbus is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Key West is "Restricted." Columbus's permit fee is $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) compared to $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee in Key West. Overall, Columbus has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Columbus or Key West?
Columbus charges 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax, while Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Columbus: Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. Key West: Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Columbus and Key West have day limits for Airbnb?
Columbus has no annual day limit. Key West has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Columbus or Key West?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) for permits with 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax in taxes. Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee with 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). Automatic tax collection in Columbus and Key West makes compliance easier for beginners.