Miami vs Scottsdale

Florida Restricted | Arizona 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
Scottsdale, Arizona
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year
Tax Rate ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months

Scottsdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while Scottsdale charges $250/year. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Scottsdale renewal is annual. Overall, Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, hosts pay ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). 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 Scottsdale, violations can result in $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. 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 →

Scottsdale Overview

Ordinance 4566 caps occupancy at 6 adults plus dependent children, requires 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, $500K liability insurance, and neighbor notification within 30 days. Special events and commercial uses prohibited.

Contact: Scottsdale Code Enforcement — (480) 312-2546

Full Scottsdale guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Miami or Scottsdale?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while Scottsdale is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to $250/year in Scottsdale. Overall, Scottsdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or Scottsdale?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), while Scottsdale charges ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Scottsdale: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Miami and Scottsdale have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. Scottsdale has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or Scottsdale?
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. Scottsdale charges $250/year with ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Miami and Scottsdale makes compliance easier for beginners.