Dallas vs Key West

Texas Restricted | Florida Restricted

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

Dallas, Texas
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $285 registration fee
Tax Rate 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Dallas charges $285 registration fee for STR licensing, while Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee. Dallas renewal is annual, and Key West renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Dallas, hosts pay 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state). In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Key West, but hosts in Dallas 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 Dallas face penalties including $500–$2,000/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.

Dallas Overview

Dallas banned non-owner-occupied STRs in residential single-family zoning districts effective April 2023. Owner-occupied or 'hosted' stays and multifamily/commercial zoning remain allowed with registration.

Contact: Dallas Code Compliance — 3-1-1 or (214) 670-5111

Full Dallas 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 Dallas or Key West?
Dallas is classified as "Restricted" while Key West is "Restricted." Dallas's permit fee is $285 registration fee compared to $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee in Key West. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Dallas or Key West?
Dallas charges 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state), while Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). Notably, Key West benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Dallas must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Dallas: $500–$2,000/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 Dallas and Key West have day limits for Airbnb?
Dallas has no annual day limit. Key West has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Dallas or Key West?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Dallas charges $285 registration fee for permits with 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state) 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 Key West makes compliance easier for beginners.