How many US cities have regulations for short-term rentals?

Based on our database of 49 major US cities, 49 cities match the criteria for this guide: Looking for affordable markets to start hosting? These cities have some of the lowest permit fees for short-term rental operators.

How often do STR regulations change?

Short-term rental regulations change frequently as cities adapt their policies. We verify our data against official .gov sources and update regularly, but always confirm current requirements with your local government before listing.

Cities with the Cheapest STR Permits

Looking for affordable markets to start hosting? These cities have some of the lowest permit fees for short-term rental operators. (49 cities)

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

Permit fees are just one part of your total cost to operate, but they matter — especially when you're just starting out and haven't generated any revenue yet. The cities below are sorted by their base permit fee from lowest to highest. Keep in mind that a cheap permit doesn't always mean a cheap market: factor in tax rates, insurance requirements, inspection fees, and any ongoing renewal costs when calculating your true cost of entry. Some cities with low permit fees offset them with higher tax rates or stricter operational requirements.

Cities

States

Platform Tax

With Day Limits

City	Status	Permit Fee	Tax Rate	Day Limit
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Legal with Permit	$35.50/unit ($16 registration + $5.50 inspection + $14 dwelling unit inspection)	13% combined (7% Allegheny County hotel tax + 6% state hotel occupancy tax)	No limit
Boston, Massachusetts (WC)	Legal but Limited	$25 registration fee	6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax	No limit
Park City, Utah	Legal with Permit	$149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual)	~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT)	No limit
Austin, Texas	Legal but Limited	$450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)	15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)	No limit
New Orleans, Louisiana	Restricted	NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year	5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee	No limit
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (WC)	Legal with Permit	$50 Limited Lodging license	8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax	180 days
Tampa, Florida	Legal with Permit	$50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required	~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax)	No limit
Sacramento, California	Legal with Permit	$230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax	12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments	90 days
Minneapolis, Minnesota	Legal with Permit	$64 short-term rental registration fee	6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined)	No limit
Portland, Oregon	Legal but Limited	$65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)	11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state	No limit
Columbus, Ohio	Legal with Permit	$75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary)	5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax	No limit
Gatlinburg, Tennessee	Legal with Permit	$200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom	12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging tax	No limit
Seattle, Washington (WC)	Legal with Permit	$75/year short-term rental operator license	15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)	No limit
Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Legal with Permit	$350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal	~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax)	No limit
Raleigh, North Carolina	Legal with Permit	~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal	~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)	120 days
Los Angeles, California (WC)	Legal but Limited	$89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee	14% Transient Occupancy Tax	120 days
Houston, Texas (WC)	Legal with Permit	$90 registration fee	13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state)	No limit
Denver, Colorado	Legal with Permit	$100 license fee	10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state)	No limit
Orlando, Florida	Restricted	$100 city permit + state DBPR license	12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city)	No limit
Santa Fe, New Mexico	Legal but Limited	$100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license	~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax	No limit
Washington DC, District of Columbia	Legal but Limited	$104.50 for 2-year license	14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging tax)	90 days
Key West, Florida	Restricted	$150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee	12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales)	No limit
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Legal with Permit	$110 annual license + $300 one-time pre-inspection fee	5% state sales + 3% county room tax + 7% city room tax (15% combined)	No limit
New York City, New York (WC)	Effectively Banned	$145 registration fee (OSE)	5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax	No limit
Atlanta, Georgia (WC)	Legal with Permit	$150/year	8% Hotel/Motel Tax + sales tax	No limit
Indianapolis, Indiana	Legal with Permit	$150 one-time registration fee per property	7% Indiana sales tax + 10% Marion County innkeeper's tax (17% combined)	No limit
Miami, Florida (WC)	Restricted	$150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee	13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)	No limit
Asheville, North Carolina	Restricted	$200 homestay permit fee	~16.75% combined (4.75% state sales + 6% county occupancy + 6% city occupancy)	No limit
Baltimore, Maryland	Legal but Limited	$200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit	9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax	No limit
Charleston, South Carolina	Restricted	$250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee	~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes)	No limit
Jersey City, New Jersey	Restricted	$250 initial application + $200 annual renewal	6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee	60 days
San Antonio, Texas (WC)	Legal with Permit	Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee	16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county)	No limit
Sedona, Arizona	Legal with Permit	$210/year	13.3%–13.9% combined (varies by county portion — Yavapai vs Coconino)	No limit
San Diego, California	Legal with Permit	Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license)	11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center)	20 days
Chicago, Illinois	Legal but Limited	$250 annual registration fee	10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County	No limit
Kansas City, Missouri (WC)	Legal with Permit	$250/year permit fee	7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax	No limit
Phoenix, Arizona	Legal with Permit	$250/year (non-refundable)	~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city)	No limit
Savannah, Georgia	Legal with Permit	$400 initial application; $250/year renewal	8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax	No limit
Scottsdale, Arizona	Legal with Permit	$250/year	~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city)	No limit
Dallas, Texas (WC)	Restricted	$285 registration fee	13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state)	No limit
Nashville, Tennessee	Legal but Limited	$313 permit fee	6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax	No limit
San Francisco, California (WC)	Legal but Limited	$450 registration fee	14% Transient Occupancy Tax	90 days
Detroit, Michigan	Legal but Limited	$500 annual license fee	6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined)	90 days
Honolulu, Hawaii	Restricted	$1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal	~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET)	No limit
Las Vegas, Nevada	Legal but Limited	$500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification)	13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County)	No limit
Palm Springs, California	Legal but Limited	$1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate	12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID)	No limit
Charlotte, North Carolina	Legal with Permit	Business license required; contact city for current fee	~15.25% combined (7.25% state+local sales + 8% Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax)	No limit
Maui County, Hawaii	Effectively Banned	Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount	~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET)	No limit
Salt Lake City, Utah	Effectively Banned	Contact city for current details	~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)	No limit

City-by-City Highlights

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

Rental Permit Program launched December 2024. No day caps or per-owner unit limits. All rental properties must register and pass inspection.

Permit: $35.50/unit ($16 registration + $5.50 inspection + $14 dwelling unit inspection) Tax: 13% combined (7% Allegheny County hotel tax + 6% state hotel occupancy tax) Max fine: $500/unit/month for operating without permit

Boston, Massachusetts Legal but Limited

Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.

Permit: $25 registration fee Tax: 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax Max fine: $300/day for unregistered listing

Park City, Utah Legal with Permit

Nightly Rental License required; only certain zones allow STRs (e.g., Old Town, Canyons Village). Areas like Prospector and Meadows Estates prohibit nightly rentals. Must pass building inspection and designate 24/7 local contact.

Permit: $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) Tax: ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT) Max fine: Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses

Austin, Texas Legal but Limited

Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.

Permit: $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) Tax: 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) Max fine: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible

New Orleans, Louisiana Restricted

Heavily restricted: French Quarter is banned (except parts of Bourbon St), permits limited to owner's primary residence via lottery, CSTR permits frozen since 2023, and one STR per block density cap applies.

Permit: NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year Tax: 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee Max fine: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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.

Permit: $50 Limited Lodging license Tax: 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax Limit: 180 days/year Max fine: $300/day for unlicensed rental

Tampa, Florida Legal with Permit

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.

Permit: $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required Tax: ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax) Max fine: Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction

Sacramento, California Legal with Permit

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.

Permit: $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax Tax: 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments Limit: 90 days/year Max fine: Contact city for current details

Minneapolis, Minnesota Legal with Permit

Owners limited to one STR property plus their homesteaded residence; buildings with 20+ units capped at 10% STR units. $300,000 liability insurance and neighbor notification required.

Permit: $64 short-term rental registration fee Tax: 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined) Max fine: Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses

Portland, Oregon Legal but Limited

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Permit: $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) Tax: 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state Max fine: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban

Columbus, Ohio Legal with Permit

Governed by Columbus Code Chapter 598; BCI background check required. Properties must be in eligible zoning district.

Permit: $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) Tax: 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax Max fine: Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation

Gatlinburg, Tennessee Legal with Permit

Tourist Residency Permit required with annual inspection. STRs prohibited in R-1A and R-2A zones. Properties over 3 stories or 12+ occupants require sprinkler systems.

Permit: $200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom Tax: 12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging tax Max fine: $50/day per violation; permit suspension/revocation possible

Seattle, Washington Legal with Permit

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.

Permit: $75/year short-term rental operator license Tax: 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city) Max fine: $500/day for operating without a license

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Legal with Permit

Annual registration and Certificate of Compliance required. Occupancy capped at 2 persons per bedroom. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Permit: $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal Tax: ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax) Max fine: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension

Raleigh, North Carolina Legal with Permit

STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.

Permit: ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal Tax: ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax) Limit: 120 days/year Max fine: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible

Los Angeles, California Legal but Limited

Home-Sharing Ordinance limits STRs to primary residences with a 120-day annual cap (extendable with Enhanced Plan). Registration required. RSO (rent-stabilized) units generally prohibited.

Permit: $89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee Tax: 14% Transient Occupancy Tax Limit: 120 days/year Max fine: $2,000–$5,000/violation (up to triple for repeat offenses)

Houston, Texas Legal with Permit

Houston has no zoning code, so STRs are broadly permitted. Hosts must register, collect HOT, and meet fire-safety and parking standards. Deed-restricted communities may impose additional restrictions.

Permit: $90 registration fee Tax: 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state) Max fine: $500/day for non-compliance

Denver, Colorado Legal with Permit

Only primary residences may be used as STRs. Hosts must obtain a Short-Term Rental license. No cap on rental days. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot are also eligible.

Permit: $100 license fee Tax: 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state) Max fine: $999/day for unlicensed operation

Orlando, Florida Restricted

STRs are prohibited in most single-family residential zoning districts. Allowed in tourist-commercial zones and some mixed-use areas. Florida state law preempts local bans enacted after June 2011, creating a complex legal landscape.

Permit: $100 city permit + state DBPR license Tax: 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city) Max fine: $250–$500/day for code violations

Santa Fe, New Mexico Legal but Limited

Residential zone STRs capped at 1,000 citywide permits; one per person; must be 50+ feet from another STR. Rentals limited to once per 7-day period (except Nov 15–Jan 15). Local operator must respond within 1 hour.

Permit: $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license Tax: ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax Max fine: Up to $500/day for operating without permit

Washington DC, District of Columbia Legal but Limited

Primary residence only (must qualify for Homestead Deduction). Hosted stays have no day cap. Vacation rentals (unhosted) capped at 90 nights/year. Must carry $250K liability insurance.

Permit: $104.50 for 2-year license Tax: 14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging tax) Limit: 90 days/year Max fine: $500 first violation; $2,000 second; $6,000 third + license revocation

Key West, Florida Restricted

Moratorium on new transient rental licenses — only grandfathered properties may operate STRs under 28 days. Existing licenses are property-specific and command $400K+ on the secondary market. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Permit: $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee Tax: 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales) Max fine: Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Legal with Permit

Tourist Rooming House license required for rentals under one month. Properties must pass safety inspection for building code and fire safety compliance before license is issued.

Permit: $110 annual license + $300 one-time pre-inspection fee Tax: 5% state sales + 3% county room tax + 7% city room tax (15% combined) Max fine: $150–$500 first offense; steeper fines and permit revocation for repeat offenses

New York City, New York Effectively Banned

Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.

Permit: $145 registration fee (OSE) Tax: 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax Max fine: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations

Atlanta, Georgia Legal with Permit

Owner-occupied and investor-owned units both allowed with a Short-Term Rental License. Must pass fire inspection and provide 24/7 local contact.

Permit: $150/year Tax: 8% Hotel/Motel Tax + sales tax Max fine: $1,000/day for operating without permit

Indianapolis, Indiana Legal with Permit

Indiana state law prevents municipalities from banning STRs but allows permitting. Hosts must collect and remit gross retail tax and Marion County innkeeper's tax.

Permit: $150 one-time registration fee per property Tax: 7% Indiana sales tax + 10% Marion County innkeeper's tax (17% combined) Max fine: Up to $500 per violation; permit revocation after three violations

Miami, Florida Restricted

STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.

Permit: $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee Tax: 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax) Max fine: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement

Asheville, North Carolina Restricted

Whole-dwelling STRs banned in most zones since 2018; only allowed in resort zoning districts. Owner-occupied homestays (max 2 guest rooms, host must live on-site) are permitted in residential zones with a permit.

Permit: $200 homestay permit fee Tax: ~16.75% combined (4.75% state sales + 6% county occupancy + 6% city occupancy) Max fine: $500/day for violations

Baltimore, Maryland Legal but Limited

Primary residence required; max two licenses per host. Stays must be under 90 consecutive nights. Must pass home inspection.

Permit: $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit Tax: 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax Max fine: $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations

Charleston, South Carolina Restricted

Whole-house STRs are effectively banned; at least one full-time resident must sleep on-site each night. Max 4 adult guests. Charleston is one of the few U.S. cities that criminally prosecutes illegal STR operators. $1M liability insurance required.

Permit: $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee Tax: ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) Max fine: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible

Jersey City, New Jersey Restricted

Adopted after 2019 voter referendum. Owner-occupied only — tenants and rent-controlled units prohibited. Unhosted stays capped at 60 nights/year. Only buildings with fewer than 4 units eligible.

Permit: $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal Tax: 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee Limit: 60 days/year Max fine: $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations

San Antonio, Texas Legal with Permit

Two-tier permit system (Type 1 owner-occupied, Type 2 investment). Type 2 STRs capped at 12.5% of housing per blockface; platforms must remove listings without valid permit numbers.

Permit: Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee Tax: 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) Max fine: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years

Sedona, Arizona Legal with Permit

Sedona straddles Yavapai and Coconino counties, so tax rates vary. Each unit needs its own permit. Special events (weddings, retreats) strictly prohibited. 24/7 complaint hotline: (928) 203-5110.

Permit: $210/year Tax: 13.3%–13.9% combined (varies by county portion — Yavapai vs Coconino) Max fine: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; up to $1,000/month without permit

San Diego, California Legal with Permit

Four-tier license system with caps: Tier 3 limited to 1% of housing units; Tier 4 (Mission Beach) capped at 30% and at capacity. Only one license per host; licenses are non-transferable.

Permit: Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) Tax: 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) Limit: 20 days/year Max fine: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations

Chicago, Illinois Legal but Limited

Must be host's primary residence; buildings with 5+ units limited to no more than 6 STR units; Restricted Residential Zones and Prohibited Buildings List apply. $1M commercial general liability insurance required.

Permit: $250 annual registration fee Tax: 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County Max fine: $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense

Kansas City, Missouri Legal with Permit

Short-term rental permits required for all listings. Both owner-occupied and investor-owned properties are eligible. Must maintain guest registry and provide local emergency contact within 30 minutes.

Permit: $250/year permit fee Tax: 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax Max fine: $500/offense for operating without permit

Phoenix, Arizona Legal with Permit

Arizona SB 1168 (2022) grants cities enhanced enforcement while SB 1350 (2016) preempts outright bans. Phoenix requires STR permit, $500K liability insurance, neighbor notification, and prohibits STR use of accessory dwelling units.

Permit: $250/year (non-refundable) Tax: ~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city) Max fine: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; 12-month suspension after 3 violations

Savannah, Georgia Legal with Permit

STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.

Permit: $400 initial application; $250/year renewal Tax: 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax Max fine: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation

Scottsdale, Arizona Legal with Permit

Ordinance 4566 caps occupancy at 6 adults plus dependent children, requires 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, $500K liability insurance, and neighbor notification within 30 days. Special events and commercial uses prohibited.

Permit: $250/year Tax: ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city) Max fine: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months

Dallas, Texas Restricted

Dallas banned non-owner-occupied STRs in residential single-family zoning districts effective April 2023. Owner-occupied or 'hosted' stays and multifamily/commercial zoning remain allowed with registration.

Permit: $285 registration fee Tax: 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state) Max fine: $500–$2,000/violation

Nashville, Tennessee Legal but Limited

Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.

Permit: $313 permit fee Tax: 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax Max fine: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations

San Francisco, California Legal but Limited

Primary residence only, with a 90-day cap on unhosted stays (unlimited for hosted stays). Hosts must register, carry $500K liability insurance, and pass a fire/safety inspection. Rent-controlled units face additional restrictions.

Permit: $450 registration fee Tax: 14% Transient Occupancy Tax Limit: 90 days/year Max fine: $1,000/day for illegal hosting

Detroit, Michigan Legal but Limited

90-day annual rental cap; max 10 guests at any time; principal residence requirement. Liability insurance required and properties must pass safety inspection.

Permit: $500 annual license fee Tax: 6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined) Limit: 90 days/year Max fine: Up to $1,000–$1,200 per violation for unlicensed operation

Honolulu, Hawaii Restricted

STRs limited to resort-zoned and eligible apartment-zoned areas. Hosts must register as B&B (owner-occupied, max 2 guest rooms) or TVU (whole-home in eligible zones). Registrations are non-transferable.

Permit: $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal Tax: ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET) Max fine: $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine

Las Vegas, Nevada Legal but Limited

Only owner-occupied (hosted) rentals are permitted; the owner must reside on-site during each rental day. Properties must be at least 660 feet from another STR and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel. Limited to 3 bedrooms max. Requires $500,000 liability insurance.

Permit: $500/year (business license + Conditional Use Verification) Tax: 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (Clark County) Max fine: $1,000–$10,000 for unlicensed operation

Palm Springs, California Legal but Limited

Limited to 26 rental contracts per year (28 nights or shorter each). Neighborhood density cap of 20% — multiple neighborhoods already at capacity. One permit per owner; occupancy based on bedroom count. $500,000 liability insurance required.

Permit: $1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate Tax: 12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID) Max fine: $5,000 for operating without certificate + permanent ineligibility; 3 violations = 2-year suspension

Charlotte, North Carolina Legal with Permit

Charlotte removed STR-specific zoning regulations from its UDO in April 2022, making it one of NC's most permissive markets. Hosts must still obtain a business license and register for Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax.

Permit: Business license required; contact city for current fee Tax: ~15.25% combined (7.25% state+local sales + 8% Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax) Max fine: $500/day for continued non-compliance

Maui County, Hawaii Effectively Banned

Ordinance 5909 (signed Dec 2025) phases out all apartment-zoned vacation rentals — STR use must cease by Jan 1, 2029 in West Maui and Jan 1, 2031 elsewhere. Existing STRH and B&B permits remain but are capped. Legal challenges are pending.

Permit: Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount Tax: ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET) Max fine: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter

Salt Lake City, Utah Effectively Banned

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.

Permit: Contact city for current details Tax: ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) Max fine: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines