Miami vs Seattle
Florida Restricted | Washington Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Miami, Florida | Seattle, Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee | $75/year short-term rental operator license |
| Tax Rate | 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax) | 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual (city); Biennial (state) | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement | $500/day for operating without a license |
| Verdict | Seattle has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Seattle, Washington
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year short-term rental operator license
Tax Rate 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for operating without a license
Seattle has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Miami guide →Seattle Overview
Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units may be licensed. Operators may list up to 2 units. A platform license is also required for listing sites. Must collect and remit all applicable lodging taxes.
Full Seattle guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Miami or Seattle?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while Seattle is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to $75/year short-term rental operator license in Seattle.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or Seattle?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), while Seattle charges 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Seattle: $500/day for operating without a license.