Seattle vs Tampa
Washington Legal with Permit | Florida Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Seattle, Washington | Tampa, Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $75/year short-term rental operator license | $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required |
| Tax Rate | 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city) | ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500/day for operating without a license | Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Seattle, Washington
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year short-term rental operator license
Tax Rate 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for operating without a license
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.
Seattle Overview
Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units may be licensed. Operators may list up to 2 units. A platform license is also required for listing sites. Must collect and remit all applicable lodging taxes.
Full Seattle 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 Seattle or Tampa?
Seattle is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Tampa is "Legal with Permit." Seattle's permit fee is $75/year short-term rental operator license compared to $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required in Tampa.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Seattle or Tampa?
Seattle charges 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city), 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?
Seattle: $500/day for operating without a license. Tampa: Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction.