Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Key West?

**Yes**, Key West requires a Transient Business Tax Receipt for short-term rentals. You need this license to operate legally, as rentals under 30 days are strictly limited to properties in specific zones with this license. Operating without this specific license carries a $5,000 per day fine.

What is the TOT tax rate in Key West?

**7% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Key West. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for specific instructions on how to remit collected taxes.

How much does an STR permit cost in Key West?

**$44.47** is the cost of the Transient Business Tax Receipt required for short-term rentals in Key West. You need this license to operate legally, as rentals under 30 days are strictly limited. Operating a rental without the proper license is illegal and carries a hefty fine.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Key West?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Key West. Only property owners with the appropriate Transient License are authorized to operate short-term rentals. Renting out a property without the owner's express permission may violate lease agreements.

Key West

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Key West?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Key West, but with significant restrictions. Stays under 30 days are strictly limited to properties with a 'Transient License' or those located in specific commercially-vetted zones. Operating a rental without the proper license is illegal and carries a hefty fine.

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 3, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) are strictly limited in Key West to properties with a 'Transient License' or those located in specific commercial/transient-vetted zones. Operating a rental under 30 days without this specific license is illegal and carries a $5,000 per day fine.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Long minimum stay: 30 nights
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

If you want to rent out your property in Key West for less than 29 days, you'll need a special license from the city. These licenses are limited, and the property must qualify. Without this license, you can only rent your property for periods of 29 days or longer, and you'll need a business tax receipt.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$44

Processing time2-4 weeks

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Key West, FL: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Key West, FL: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Key West does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements21 rules

Key West STR warning: Standard business licenses are NOT the same as Transient Licenses.
Key West STR warning: A 'Transient License' is often attached to the real estate and is highly valuable; many zones no longer issue new ones.
Key West STR warning: You must have a local 24/7 contact who can respond to complaints immediately.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Key West: To host an Airbnb in Key West for stays under 30 days, your property must have a rare and specific 'Transient License.' If you do not have this license, you can only rent your home for 30 consecutive days or longer to the same party. The city is very aggressive in finding illegal listings, and the fines start at $5,000 per violation, so never list a nightly rental without verifying your license status first.

Fees & costs1 rule

Key West charges a registration fee of $44.47 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Key West: Total taxes are 13.0%, collected partially by platforms and partially by the host depending on the specific tax type.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Key West, FL occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Key West enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Key West occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Key West requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Key West requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local property manager contact must be reachable 24/7.

Penalties4 rules

Key West: Fines for illegal STRs are $5,000 PER DAY.
Key West enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $5000 fine per day for illegal STR. Second offense: Increased fines and potential lien. Third offense: Permanent prohibition. Daily fine: $5000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Key West exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Key West, FL: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Key West

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 3, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Long minimum stay: 30 nights
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$44

Processing time2-4 weeks

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Key West, FL: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Key West, FL: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Key West does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements21 rules

Key West STR warning: Standard business licenses are NOT the same as Transient Licenses.
Key West STR warning: A 'Transient License' is often attached to the real estate and is highly valuable; many zones no longer issue new ones.
Key West STR warning: You must have a local 24/7 contact who can respond to complaints immediately.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Key West: To host an Airbnb in Key West for stays under 30 days, your property must have a rare and specific 'Transient License.' If you do not have this license, you can only rent your home for 30 consecutive days or longer to the same party. The city is very aggressive in finding illegal listings, and the fines start at $5,000 per violation, so never list a nightly rental without verifying your license status first.

Fees & costs1 rule

Key West charges a registration fee of $44.47 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Key West: Total taxes are 13.0%, collected partially by platforms and partially by the host depending on the specific tax type.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Key West, FL occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Key West enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Key West occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Key West requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Key West requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local property manager contact must be reachable 24/7.

Penalties4 rules

Key West: Fines for illegal STRs are $5,000 PER DAY.
Key West enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $5000 fine per day for illegal STR. Second offense: Increased fines and potential lien. Third offense: Permanent prohibition. Daily fine: $5000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Key West exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Key West, FL: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Key West?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Key West?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Key West?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Key West?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Key West?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Key West?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Key West?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Key West?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Key West?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Key West?

Disclaimer