Philadelphia vs Salt Lake City
Pennsylvania Legal with Permit | Utah Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $50 Limited Lodging license | Contact city for current details |
| Tax Rate | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) |
| Annual Day Limit | 180 days/year | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unlicensed rental | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Philadelphia guide →Salt Lake City Overview
Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.
Full Salt Lake City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Philadelphia or Salt Lake City?
Philadelphia is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Philadelphia's permit fee is $50 Limited Lodging license compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Philadelphia or Salt Lake City?
Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax, while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines.