Park City vs Philadelphia

Utah Legal with Permit | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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

Park City, Utah
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual)
Tax Rate ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) for STR licensing, while Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Park City renewal is annual, and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."

Tax Obligations

In Park City, hosts pay ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT). In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-night annual limit, while Park City has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Park City face penalties including Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses. In Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Park City Overview

Nightly Rental License required; only certain zones allow STRs (e.g., Old Town, Canyons Village). Areas like Prospector and Meadows Estates prohibit nightly rentals. Must pass building inspection and designate 24/7 local contact.

Contact: Park City Finance Department — (435) 615-5231

Full Park City guide →

Philadelphia Overview

Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Park City or Philadelphia?
Park City is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Park City's permit fee is $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Park City or Philadelphia?
Park City charges ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Park City: Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Park City and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Park City has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Park City or Philadelphia?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) for permits with ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT) in taxes. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Park City and Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.