Miami vs Raleigh

Florida Restricted | North Carolina 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
Raleigh, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible

Raleigh has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Raleigh renewal is annual. Overall, Raleigh 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 Raleigh, hosts pay ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Raleigh imposes a 120-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 Raleigh, violations can result in $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. 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 →

Raleigh Overview

STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.

Contact: Planning and Development — (919) 996-2500

Full Raleigh guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Miami or Raleigh?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal in Raleigh. Overall, Raleigh has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or Raleigh?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), while Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Miami and Raleigh have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. Raleigh limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or Raleigh?
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. Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal with ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Automatic tax collection in Miami and Raleigh makes compliance easier for beginners.