Philadelphia vs Sacramento

Pennsylvania Legal with Permit | California Legal with Permit

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

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
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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license for STR licensing, while Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax. Philadelphia renewal is annual, and Sacramento renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."

Tax Obligations

In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. 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

Both cities impose annual day limits: Philadelphia allows 180 nights/year, while Sacramento allows 90 nights/year. Philadelphia's higher cap gives hosts more flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Philadelphia face penalties including $300/day for unlicensed rental. 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.

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 →

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 Philadelphia or Sacramento?
Philadelphia is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Sacramento is "Legal with Permit." Philadelphia's permit fee is $50 Limited Lodging license compared to $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax in Sacramento. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Philadelphia or Sacramento?
Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax, while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Philadelphia and Sacramento have day limits for Airbnb?
Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year. Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Philadelphia or Sacramento?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license for permits with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax 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 Philadelphia and Sacramento makes compliance easier for beginners.