Key West vs Pittsburgh
Florida Restricted | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Key West, Florida | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee | $35.50/unit ($16 registration + $5.50 inspection + $14 dwelling unit inspection) |
| Tax Rate | 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales) | 13% combined (7% Allegheny County hotel tax + 6% state hotel occupancy tax) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate | $500/unit/month for operating without permit |
| Verdict | Pittsburgh has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $35.50/unit ($16 registration + $5.50 inspection + $14 dwelling unit inspection)
Tax Rate 13% combined (7% Allegheny County hotel tax + 6% state hotel occupancy tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/unit/month for operating without permit
Pittsburgh has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Key West guide →Pittsburgh Overview
Rental Permit Program launched December 2024. No day caps or per-owner unit limits. All rental properties must register and pass inspection.
Full Pittsburgh guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Pittsburgh?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Pittsburgh is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $35.50/unit ($16 registration + $5.50 inspection + $14 dwelling unit inspection) in Pittsburgh.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Pittsburgh?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Pittsburgh charges 13% combined (7% Allegheny County hotel tax + 6% state hotel occupancy tax). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
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. Pittsburgh: $500/unit/month for operating without permit.