Miami vs Sacramento

Florida Restricted | California 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
Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details

Sacramento has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Sacramento renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento 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 Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Sacramento imposes a 90-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 Sacramento, violations can result in Contact city for current details. 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 →

Sacramento Overview

Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.

Contact: Revenue Division, Finance Department — (916) 808-8500

Full Sacramento guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Miami or Sacramento?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while Sacramento is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax in Sacramento. Overall, Sacramento has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or Sacramento?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Miami and Sacramento have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or Sacramento?
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. Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax with 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Automatic tax collection in Miami and Sacramento makes compliance easier for beginners.