Jersey City vs Key West

New Jersey Restricted | Florida Restricted

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

Jersey City, New Jersey
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal
Tax Rate 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee
Day Limit 60 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations
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

Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee. Jersey City renewal is annual, and Key West renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Jersey City, hosts pay 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee. In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Jersey City imposes a 60-night annual limit, while Key West has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Jersey City face penalties including $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. 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.

Jersey City Overview

Adopted after 2019 voter referendum. Owner-occupied only — tenants and rent-controlled units prohibited. Unhosted stays capped at 60 nights/year. Only buildings with fewer than 4 units eligible.

Contact: Division of Housing Preservation — (201) 547-4821

Full Jersey City 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 Jersey City or Key West?
Jersey City is classified as "Restricted" while Key West is "Restricted." Jersey City's permit fee is $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal 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 — Jersey City or Key West?
Jersey City charges 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee, while Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Jersey City: $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. 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 Jersey City and Key West have day limits for Airbnb?
Jersey City limits STRs to 60 nights per year. Key West has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Jersey City or Key West?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal for permits with 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee 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 Jersey City and Key West makes compliance easier for beginners.