Miami vs Philadelphia

Florida Restricted | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Overall, Philadelphia has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Miami (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-night annual limit, while Miami has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Miami face penalties including $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. In Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. 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 →

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.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Miami or Philadelphia?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Overall, Philadelphia has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or Philadelphia?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Miami and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Miami and Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.