Key West vs Los Angeles

Florida Restricted | California 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
Los Angeles, California
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee
Tax Rate 14% Transient Occupancy Tax
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses)

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles charges $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee. Key West renewal is annual, and Los Angeles renewal is annual. Overall, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, hosts pay 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Los Angeles imposes a 120-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 Key West face penalties including Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. In Los Angeles, violations can result in $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses). 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 →

Los Angeles Overview

Home-Sharing Ordinance limits STRs to primary residences with a 120-day annual cap (extendable with Enhanced Plan). Registration required. RSO (rent-stabilized) units generally prohibited.

Contact: LA City Planning — (213) 482-7077

Full Los Angeles guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Los Angeles?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Los Angeles is "Legal but Limited." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee in Los Angeles. Overall, Los Angeles has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Los Angeles?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Los Angeles charges 14% Transient Occupancy Tax.
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. Los Angeles: $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses). Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Los Angeles have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Los Angeles limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Los Angeles?
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. Los Angeles charges $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee with 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. Automatic tax collection in Key West and Los Angeles makes compliance easier for beginners.