Philadelphia vs Tampa
Pennsylvania Legal with Permit | Florida Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Tampa, Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $50 Limited Lodging license | $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required |
| Tax Rate | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax | ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax) |
| 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 | Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
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
Tampa, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required
Tax Rate ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
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 →Tampa Overview
No city-specific STR ordinance — state DBPR license and county Business Tax Receipt are primary requirements. Florida's 2011 preemption law limits local restrictions. STRs generally allowed in commercial and mixed-use zones.
Full Tampa guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Philadelphia or Tampa?
Philadelphia is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Tampa is "Legal with Permit." Philadelphia's permit fee is $50 Limited Lodging license compared to $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required in Tampa.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Philadelphia or Tampa?
Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax, while Tampa charges ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Tampa: Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction.