Orlando vs San Diego

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
San Diego, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license)
Tax Rate 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center)
Day Limit 20 days/year
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations

San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license for STR licensing, while San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license). Orlando renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and San Diego renewal is biennial. Overall, San Diego 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 San Diego, hosts pay 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

San Diego imposes a 20-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 San Diego, violations can result in $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. 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 →

San Diego Overview

Four-tier license system with caps: Tier 3 limited to 1% of housing units; Tier 4 (Mission Beach) capped at 30% and at capacity. Only one license per host; licenses are non-transferable.

Contact: STRO Administration, City Treasurer — (619) 615-6120

Full San Diego guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Orlando or San Diego?
Orlando is classified as "Restricted" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Orlando's permit fee is $100 city permit + state DBPR license compared to Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) in San Diego. Overall, San Diego has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Orlando or San Diego?
Orlando charges 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city), while San Diego charges 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Orlando: $250–$500/day for code violations. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Orlando and San Diego have day limits for Airbnb?
Orlando has no annual day limit. San Diego limits STRs to 20 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Orlando or San Diego?
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. San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) with 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Automatic tax collection in Orlando and San Diego makes compliance easier for beginners.