Miami vs Seattle

Florida Restricted | Washington 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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Seattle renewal is annual. Overall, Seattle 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 Seattle, hosts pay 15.6% combined lodging 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 Seattle, violations can result in $500/day for operating without a license. 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 →

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.

Contact: Seattle Finance & Admin Services — (206) 684-8484

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. Overall, Seattle has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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).
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. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Miami and Seattle have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. Seattle has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or Seattle?
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. Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license with 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Miami and Seattle makes compliance easier for beginners.