Denver vs Philadelphia

Colorado Legal with Permit | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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

Denver, Colorado
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $100 license fee
Tax Rate 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $999/day for unlicensed operation
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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Denver charges $100 license fee for STR licensing, while Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Denver renewal is every 2 years, and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."

Tax Obligations

In Denver, hosts pay 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state). In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-night annual limit, while Denver has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Denver face penalties including $999/day for unlicensed operation. In Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Denver Overview

Only primary residences may be used as STRs. Hosts must obtain a Short-Term Rental license. No cap on rental days. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot are also eligible.

Contact: Denver Excise & Licenses — (720) 913-1311

Full Denver 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.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Denver or Philadelphia?
Denver is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Denver's permit fee is $100 license fee compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Denver or Philadelphia?
Denver charges 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Denver: $999/day for unlicensed operation. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Denver and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Denver has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Denver or Philadelphia?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Denver charges $100 license fee for permits with 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state) in taxes. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Denver and Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.