Las Vegas vs Miami: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Las Vegas is currently "primary residence only" while Miami is "restricted". The bigger difference is eligibility: Las Vegas restricts rentals to the host's own residence, while Miami permits dedicated rentals. Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Las Vegas, NV | Miami, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Primary residence only | Restricted |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Residential Rental business license (with Conditional Use Verification) | Certificate of Use (CU) for Lodging + Business Tax Receipt (BTR) (City of Miami), plus Florida DBPR lodging license and Certificate of Occupancy |
| Permit fee | $500 | — |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | Yes | No |
| Owner occupancy required | Yes | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | 1 night(s) | None found |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% | ~13% |
| Last verified | July 10, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Combined transient lodging (room) tax -- city of Las Vegas (13%)· collection varies | $58.50 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Las Vegas, NV
The city of Las Vegas allows short-term rentals (stays under 31 consecutive days) only with a Short-Term Residential Rental business license, which requires a free Conditional Use Verification, a Code Enforcement home inspection, and a $500 annual license fee. The biggest restriction is that the home must be the owner's primary residence and 'owner-occupied' throughout every rental period -- the owner must actually reside and sleep on site while guests stay -- and the unit may have no more than three bedrooms, must sit at least 660 feet from any other short-term rental and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel, and is barred from apartment buildings and several master-planned areas such as Summerlin. Unlicensed operators face civil fines of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation, assessable per day. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Las Vegasrules, playbook & sources →Miami, FL
In the City of Miami (distinct from Miami Beach), short-term rentals are banned in T3 and T4-R transect zones — which cover most single-family homes and duplexes — under a ban upheld in City of Miami v. Airbnb, and are legal only in higher-intensity zones where Miami 21 permits lodging. Operating legally requires converting the unit to Apartment-Hotel/Condo-Hotel use via a building permit, then holding a Certificate of Occupancy, an annually renewed city Certificate of Use, a city Business Tax Receipt, and a Florida DBPR lodging license (about $170/year for a single unit plus a $50 application fee; city fees are invoiced case-by-case). Combined lodging taxes total roughly 13% (6% state sales + 1% county surtax + 6% Miami-Dade tourist taxes), which registered platforms like Airbnb collect. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Miamirules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.