Orlando vs Raleigh

Florida Restricted | North Carolina Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Orlando, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $100 city permit + state DBPR license
Tax Rate 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250–$500/day for code violations
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

Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license for STR licensing, while Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal. Orlando renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Raleigh renewal is annual. Overall, Raleigh has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Orlando (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Orlando, hosts pay 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). 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 Orlando has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Orlando face penalties including $250–$500/day for code violations. 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.

Orlando Overview

STRs are prohibited in most single-family residential zoning districts. Allowed in tourist-commercial zones and some mixed-use areas. Florida state law preempts local bans enacted after June 2011, creating a complex legal landscape.

Contact: Orlando Permitting Services — (407) 246-2271

Full Orlando 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 Orlando or Raleigh?
Orlando is classified as "Restricted" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Orlando's permit fee is $100 city permit + state DBPR license 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 — Orlando or Raleigh?
Orlando charges 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city), 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?
Orlando: $250–$500/day for code violations. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Orlando and Raleigh have day limits for Airbnb?
Orlando has no annual day limit. Raleigh limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Orlando or Raleigh?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license for permits with 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city) 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 Orlando and Raleigh makes compliance easier for beginners.