Orlando vs Sacramento

Florida Restricted | California 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
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

Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license for STR licensing, while Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax. Orlando renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and Sacramento renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento 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 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 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 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.

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 →

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 Orlando or Sacramento?
Orlando is classified as "Restricted" while Sacramento is "Legal with Permit." Orlando's permit fee is $100 city permit + state DBPR license 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 — Orlando or Sacramento?
Orlando charges 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city), while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Orlando: $250–$500/day for code violations. Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Orlando and Sacramento have day limits for Airbnb?
Orlando has no annual day limit. Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Orlando or Sacramento?
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. 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 Orlando and Sacramento makes compliance easier for beginners.