Los Angeles vs Philadelphia
California Legal but Limited | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Los Angeles, California | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee | $50 Limited Lodging license |
| Tax Rate | 14% Transient Occupancy Tax | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | 120 days/year | 180 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses) | $300/day for unlicensed rental |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Los Angeles guide →Philadelphia Overview
Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.
Full Philadelphia guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Los Angeles or Philadelphia?
Los Angeles is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Los Angeles's permit fee is $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Los Angeles or Philadelphia?
Los Angeles charges 14% Transient Occupancy Tax, while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Los Angeles: $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses). Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental.