Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

California Legal with Permit | Utah Effectively Banned

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

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.

Permits & Licensing

Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax for STR licensing, while Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details. Sacramento renewal is annual, and Salt Lake City renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Salt Lake City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. 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

Sacramento imposes a 90-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 Sacramento face penalties including Contact city for current details. 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.

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 →

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 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. Overall, Sacramento has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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).
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. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Sacramento and Salt Lake City have day limits for Airbnb?
Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year. Salt Lake City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Sacramento or Salt Lake City?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax for permits with 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments 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 Sacramento and Salt Lake City makes compliance easier for beginners.