Key West vs Sacramento

Florida Restricted | California 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
Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details

Sacramento 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 Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax. Key West renewal is annual, and Sacramento renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento 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 Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Sacramento imposes a 90-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 Sacramento, violations can result in Contact city for current details. 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 →

Sacramento Overview

Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.

Contact: Revenue Division, Finance Department — (916) 808-8500

Full Sacramento guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Sacramento?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Sacramento is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax in Sacramento. Overall, Sacramento has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Sacramento?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments.
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. Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Sacramento have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Sacramento?
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. Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax with 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Automatic tax collection in Key West and Sacramento makes compliance easier for beginners.