Key West vs Park City

Florida Restricted | Utah Legal with Permit

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
Park City, Utah
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual)
Tax Rate ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses

Park City 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 Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual). Key West renewal is annual, and Park City renewal is annual. Overall, Park City has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Key West (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). In Park City, hosts pay ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT). 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 Park City, violations can result in Daily fines per violation; license revocation 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 →

Park City Overview

Nightly Rental License required; only certain zones allow STRs (e.g., Old Town, Canyons Village). Areas like Prospector and Meadows Estates prohibit nightly rentals. Must pass building inspection and designate 24/7 local contact.

Contact: Park City Finance Department — (435) 615-5231

Full Park City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Park City?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Park City is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) in Park City. Overall, Park City has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Park City?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Park City charges ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT).
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. Park City: Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Park City have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Park City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Park City?
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. Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) with ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT). Automatic tax collection in Key West and Park City makes compliance easier for beginners.