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

Based on our database of 49 major US cities, 9 cities match the criteria for this guide: These cities cap the number of nights per year you can rent your property as a short-term rental.

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 Annual Day Limits for STRs

These cities cap the number of nights per year you can rent your property as a short-term rental. (9 cities)

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

Annual day limits are one of the most common regulatory tools cities use to balance short-term rental activity with housing availability. These caps typically apply to unhosted (entire-home) rentals and range from as few as 30 nights to 180 nights per year. Day limits directly impact your revenue potential — a 90-day cap means you can only earn about 25% of what an unrestricted listing could generate. Some cities exempt owner-occupied or hosted stays from these limits, so check whether your hosting model qualifies for an exception.

Cities

States

Platform Tax

With Day Limits

City	Status	Permit Fee	Tax Rate	Day 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
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
Detroit, Michigan	Legal but Limited	$500 annual license fee	6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined)	90 days
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
San Francisco, California (WC)	Legal but Limited	$450 registration fee	14% Transient Occupancy Tax	90 days
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
Los Angeles, California (WC)	Legal but Limited	$89 registration fee + $850 annual platform fee	14% Transient Occupancy Tax	120 days
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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (WC)	Legal with Permit	$50 Limited Lodging license	8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax	180 days

City-by-City Highlights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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