Key West vs Las Vegas

Florida Restricted | Nevada Legal but Limited

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

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
Las Vegas, Nevada
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification)
Tax Rate 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000–$10,000 for unlicensed operation

Las Vegas has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee for STR licensing, while Las Vegas charges $500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification). Key West renewal is annual, and Las Vegas renewal is annual. Overall, Las Vegas has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Key West (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). In Las Vegas, hosts pay 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County). 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 Key West face penalties including Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. In Las Vegas, violations can result in $1,000–$10,000 for unlicensed operation. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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 →

Las Vegas Overview

Only owner-occupied (hosted) rentals are permitted; the owner must reside on-site during each rental day. Properties must be at least 660 feet from another STR and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel. Limited to 3 bedrooms max. Requires $500,000 liability insurance.

Contact: City of Las Vegas Code Enforcement — (702) 229-6281

Full Las Vegas guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Las Vegas?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Las Vegas is "Legal but Limited." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification) in Las Vegas. Overall, Las Vegas has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Las Vegas?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Las Vegas charges 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Key West: Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. Las Vegas: $1,000–$10,000 for unlicensed operation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Las Vegas have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Las Vegas has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Las Vegas?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee for permits with 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales) in taxes. Las Vegas charges $500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification) with 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County). Automatic tax collection in Key West and Las Vegas makes compliance easier for beginners.