Sacramento vs Salt Lake City
California Legal with Permit | Utah Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Sacramento, California | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax | Contact city for current details |
| Tax Rate | 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) |
| Annual Day Limit | 90 days/year | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Contact city for current details | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines |
| Verdict | Sacramento has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
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
Sacramento has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Sacramento 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 Sacramento or Salt Lake City?
Sacramento is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Sacramento's permit fee is $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Sacramento or Salt Lake City?
Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments, 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?
Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines.