Philadelphia vs Salt Lake City

Pennsylvania Legal with Permit | Utah Effectively Banned

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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license for STR licensing, while Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details. Philadelphia renewal is annual, and Salt Lake City renewal is annual. Overall, Philadelphia has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Salt Lake City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. In Salt Lake City, hosts pay ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). 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 Salt Lake City has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Philadelphia face penalties including $300/day for unlicensed rental. In Salt Lake City, violations can result in Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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 →

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.

Contact: Salt Lake City Planning Division — (801) 535-7700

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. Overall, Philadelphia has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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).
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. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Philadelphia and Salt Lake City have day limits for Airbnb?
Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year. Salt Lake City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Philadelphia or Salt Lake City?
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. Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details with ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Automatic tax collection in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City makes compliance easier for beginners.