Key West vs San Francisco

Florida Restricted | California Legal but Limited

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
San Francisco, California
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450 registration fee
Tax Rate 14% Transient Occupancy Tax
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000/day for illegal hosting

San Francisco 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 San Francisco charges $450 registration fee. Key West renewal is annual, and San Francisco renewal is every 2 years. Overall, San Francisco has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Key West (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Key West, hosts pay 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales). In San Francisco, hosts pay 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

San Francisco 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 San Francisco, violations can result in $1,000/day for illegal hosting. 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 →

San Francisco Overview

Primary residence only, with a 90-day cap on unhosted stays (unlimited for hosted stays). Hosts must register, carry $500K liability insurance, and pass a fire/safety inspection. Rent-controlled units face additional restrictions.

Contact: SF Office of Short-Term Rentals — (415) 575-9179

Full San Francisco guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or San Francisco?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while San Francisco is "Legal but Limited." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $450 registration fee in San Francisco. Overall, San Francisco has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or San Francisco?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while San Francisco charges 14% Transient 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. San Francisco: $1,000/day for illegal hosting. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and San Francisco have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. San Francisco limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or San Francisco?
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. San Francisco charges $450 registration fee with 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. Automatic tax collection in Key West and San Francisco makes compliance easier for beginners.