Key West vs Salt Lake City

Florida Restricted | Utah Effectively Banned

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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Key West charges $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee for STR licensing, while Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details. Key West renewal is annual, and Salt Lake City renewal is annual. Overall, Key West has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Salt Lake City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). In Salt Lake City, hosts pay ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

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 Salt Lake City, violations can result in Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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 →

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.

Contact: Salt Lake City Planning Division — (801) 535-7700

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. Overall, Key West has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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).
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. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Salt Lake City have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Salt Lake City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Salt Lake City?
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. Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details with ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Automatic tax collection in Key West and Salt Lake City makes compliance easier for beginners.