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Miami Beach vs. Key West: short-term-rental rules
Both Miami Beach and Key West carry the same headline short-term-rental status (Restricted) — the differences are in the details below: licensing, taxes, minimum stays, and enforcement.
| Rule | Miami Beach | Key West |
|---|---|---|
| STR status | Restricted | Restricted |
| City license / registration | Miami Beach Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for Short-Term Rental; Miami Beach Resort Tax Registration / Certificate; Miami Beach Certificate of Use | City of Key West Business Tax Receipt (BTR); City Transient Rental License / Medallion (Regulatory License supporting the BTR) |
| Primary residence | Not specified | Not specified |
| Minimum stay | No set minimum | 30-night minimum |
| Lodging tax | ~11.0% total | ~12.5% total |
| Enforcement | Active | Active |
Neither is clearly easier at the headline level; the decision usually comes down to taxes and minimum-stay rules. Open each full record below for the cited, dated details.
Full Miami Beach rules Full Key West rules
Frequently asked questions
Is short-term renting easier in Miami Beach or Key West?
Both share the same headline status (Restricted); compare the licensing, tax, and minimum-stay rows above.
Do both Miami Beach and Key West require a license or registration?
Miami Beach: yes — Miami Beach Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for Short-Term Rental; Miami Beach Resort Tax Registration / Certificate; Miami Beach Certificate of Use. Key West: yes — City of Key West Business Tax Receipt (BTR); City Transient Rental License / Medallion (Regulatory License supporting the BTR).
Which has lower lodging taxes, Miami Beach or Key West?
Miami Beach is lower at ~11.0% total. Combined lodging tax stacks state + local rates; see each record for the breakdown and who remits.
Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against each jurisdiction's official sources.