Fort Lauderdale vs New York City

Florida Legal with Permit | New York Effectively Banned

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
New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent 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 New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE). Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and New York City renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New York City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). In New York City, hosts pay 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city 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 New York City, violations can result in $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent 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 →

New York City Overview

Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.

Contact: NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement — (212) 676-4101

Full New York City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale or New York City?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or New York City?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. New York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and New York City have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. New York City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or New York City?
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. New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE) with 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Fort Lauderdale and New York City makes compliance easier for beginners.