Key West vs Raleigh

Florida Restricted | North Carolina 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
Raleigh, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible

Raleigh 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 Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal. Key West renewal is annual, and Raleigh renewal is annual. Overall, Raleigh 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 Raleigh, hosts pay ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Raleigh 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 Raleigh, violations can result in $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. 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 →

Raleigh Overview

STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.

Contact: Planning and Development — (919) 996-2500

Full Raleigh guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Raleigh?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal in Raleigh. Overall, Raleigh has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Raleigh?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room 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. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Raleigh have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Raleigh limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Raleigh?
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. Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal with ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Automatic tax collection in Key West and Raleigh makes compliance easier for beginners.