Key West vs Salt Lake City
Florida Restricted | Utah Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Key West, Florida | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee | Contact city for current details |
| Tax Rate | 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales) | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) |
| 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 | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines |
| Verdict | Key West 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
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
Key West 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 →Salt Lake City Overview
Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.
Full Salt Lake City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Salt Lake City?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Salt Lake City?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). 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. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines.