Key West vs Seattle

Florida Restricted | Washington 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
Seattle, Washington
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year short-term rental operator license
Tax Rate 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for operating without a license

Seattle 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 Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license. Key West renewal is annual, and Seattle renewal is annual. Overall, Seattle 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 Seattle, hosts pay 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). 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 Seattle, violations can result in $500/day for operating without a license. 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 →

Seattle Overview

Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units may be licensed. Operators may list up to 2 units. A platform license is also required for listing sites. Must collect and remit all applicable lodging taxes.

Contact: Seattle Finance & Admin Services — (206) 684-8484

Full Seattle guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Key West or Seattle?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while Seattle is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee compared to $75/year short-term rental operator license in Seattle. Overall, Seattle has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Key West or Seattle?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), while Seattle charges 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city).
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. Seattle: $500/day for operating without a license. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Key West and Seattle have day limits for Airbnb?
Key West has no annual day limit. Seattle has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Key West or Seattle?
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. Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license with 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Key West and Seattle makes compliance easier for beginners.