Kansas City vs Philadelphia
Missouri Legal with Permit | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Kansas City, Missouri | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $250/year permit fee | $50 Limited Lodging license |
| Tax Rate | 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 180 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500/offense for operating without permit | $300/day for unlicensed rental |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Kansas City, Missouri
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year permit fee
Tax Rate 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500/offense for operating without permit
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.
Kansas City Overview
Short-term rental permits required for all listings. Both owner-occupied and investor-owned properties are eligible. Must maintain guest registry and provide local emergency contact within 30 minutes.
Full Kansas City 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.
Full Philadelphia guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Kansas City is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Kansas City's permit fee is $250/year permit fee compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Kansas City charges 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax, while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Kansas City: $500/offense for operating without permit. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental.