Los Angeles vs New York City

California Legal but Limited | New York Effectively Banned

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Los Angeles, California
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee
Tax Rate 14% Transient Occupancy Tax
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses)
New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations

Los Angeles has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Los Angeles charges $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee for STR licensing, while New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE). Los Angeles renewal is annual, and New York City renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Los Angeles has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to New York City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Los Angeles, hosts pay 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. In New York City, hosts pay 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Los Angeles imposes a 120-night annual limit, while New York City has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Los Angeles face penalties including $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses). In New York City, violations can result in $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Los Angeles Overview

Home-Sharing Ordinance limits STRs to primary residences with a 120-day annual cap (extendable with Enhanced Plan). Registration required. RSO (rent-stabilized) units generally prohibited.

Contact: LA City Planning — (213) 482-7077

Full Los Angeles guide →

New York City Overview

Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.

Contact: NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement — (212) 676-4101

Full New York City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Los Angeles or New York City?
Los Angeles is classified as "Legal but Limited" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Los Angeles's permit fee is $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City. Overall, Los Angeles has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Los Angeles or New York City?
Los Angeles charges 14% Transient Occupancy Tax, while New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Los Angeles: $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses). New York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Los Angeles and New York City have day limits for Airbnb?
Los Angeles limits STRs to 120 nights per year. New York City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Los Angeles or New York City?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Los Angeles charges $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee for permits with 14% Transient Occupancy Tax in taxes. New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE) with 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Los Angeles and New York City makes compliance easier for beginners.