Fort Lauderdale vs Nashville

Florida Legal with Permit | Tennessee Legal but Limited

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

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations

Fort Lauderdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for STR licensing, while Nashville charges $313 permit fee. Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and Nashville renewal is annual. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Nashville (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales 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 Fort Lauderdale face penalties including $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. In Nashville, violations can result in $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Fort Lauderdale Overview

Annual registration and Certificate of Compliance required. Occupancy capped at 2 persons per bedroom. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Contact: Fort Lauderdale Community Enhancement & Compliance — (954) 828-8000

Full Fort Lauderdale guide →

Nashville Overview

Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.

Contact: Nashville Codes Department — (615) 862-6590

Full Nashville guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale or Nashville?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Nashville is "Legal but Limited." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to $313 permit fee in Nashville. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Nashville?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and Nashville have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. Nashville has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or Nashville?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for permits with ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax) in taxes. Nashville charges $313 permit fee with 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Fort Lauderdale and Nashville makes compliance easier for beginners.