Key West vs Philadelphia

Florida Restricted | Pennsylvania 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
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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Key West renewal is annual, and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Overall, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-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 Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. 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 →

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.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Philadelphia?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Overall, Philadelphia has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Philadelphia?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales 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. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Key West and Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.