Fort Lauderdale vs San Diego

Florida Legal with Permit | California Legal with Permit

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
San Diego, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license)
Tax Rate 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center)
Day Limit 20 days/year
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for STR licensing, while San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license). Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and San Diego renewal is biennial. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). In San Diego, hosts pay 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

San Diego imposes a 20-night annual limit, while Fort Lauderdale has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Fort Lauderdale face penalties including $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. In San Diego, violations can result in $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued 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 →

San Diego Overview

Four-tier license system with caps: Tier 3 limited to 1% of housing units; Tier 4 (Mission Beach) capped at 30% and at capacity. Only one license per host; licenses are non-transferable.

Contact: STRO Administration, City Treasurer — (619) 615-6120

Full San Diego guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale or San Diego?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) in San Diego. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or San Diego?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while San Diego charges 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and San Diego have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. San Diego limits STRs to 20 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or San Diego?
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. San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) with 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Automatic tax collection in Fort Lauderdale and San Diego makes compliance easier for beginners.