Miami vs New York City

Florida Restricted | New York Effectively Banned

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

Miami, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee
Tax Rate 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement
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

Miami has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE). Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and New York City renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Miami has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to New York City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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

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

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Miami face penalties including $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. 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.

Miami Overview

STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.

Contact: Miami Planning & Zoning — (305) 416-1400

Full Miami 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 Miami or New York City?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City. Overall, Miami has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or New York City?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. 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 Miami and New York City have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. New York City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or New York City?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for permits with 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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 Miami and New York City makes compliance easier for beginners.