Miami vs Scottsdale: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Miami is currently "restricted" while Scottsdale is "allowed with permit". Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Miami, FL | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Restricted | Allowed with permit |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Certificate of Use (CU) for Lodging + Business Tax Receipt (BTR) (City of Miami), plus Florida DBPR lodging license and Certificate of Occupancy | Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License) |
| Permit fee | — | $250 |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | No | No |
| Owner occupancy required | No | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | None found | None found |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% | ~13.97% |
| 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 |
| Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%)· usually collected by platform | $27.00 |
| Miami-Dade Discretionary Sales Surtax (1%)· usually collected by platform | $4.50 |
| Miami-Dade Tourist Development Tax (2%)· usually collected by platform | $9.00 |
| Miami-Dade Convention Development Tax (3%)· usually collected by platform | $13.50 |
| Miami-Dade Professional Sports Franchise Facility Tax (1%)· usually collected by platform | $4.50 |
| 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.
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 →Scottsdale, AZ
Short-term rentals are legal throughout Scottsdale (Arizona state law bars cities from prohibiting them), but every property rented for less than 30 days must hold an annual City of Scottsdale vacation rental license ($250 per property per year), plus a state TPT license and Maricopa County rental registration. There are no owner-occupancy, night-cap, or per-owner limits; the biggest restrictions are strict operational rules — $500,000 liability insurance, neighbor notification, sex-offender checks on booking guests, and a ban on commercial/event-center use that was significantly strengthened by Ordinance 4719 effective July 23, 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Scottsdalerules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.