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Data Report
2026 rankings based on real regulation data across 729 US markets. Updated daily.
729
Markets Analyzed
86%
Require Licensing
132
High Enforcement
10.3%
Avg Lodging Tax
markets require an STR license or permit to operate legally. Non-compliance can result in fines, shutdowns, or criminal penalties.
markets have permit caps - once the limit is reached, new operators cannot get licensed regardless of compliance.
markets require primary residence - meaning investment properties cannot operate as short-term rentals.
markets have effectively prohibited short-term rentals entirely through moratoriums or outright bans.
Markets with the lowest risk scores - highest regulation, enforcement, and barriers to entry.
| # | Market | Score | License | Enforcement | Max Fine | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen, CO | 5 | Required | high | $2,650 | Primary ResidenceMax 120 nights/yrInspection |
| 2 | Alpena, MI | 5 | Required | low | $500 | Inspection |
| 3 | Astoria, OR | 5 | Required | high | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapInspection |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | 5 | Required | high | $1,000 | Primary ResidenceMax 29 nights/yrDensity LimitInspection |
| 5 | New York, NY | 5 | Required | high | $5,000 | Primary ResidenceMin 30-night stayMax 3 nights/yrDensity LimitInspection |
| 6 | Sonoma, CA | 5 | Required | - | - | Min 7-night stayMax 90 nights/yrDensity Limit |
| 7 | Santa Barbara, CA | 5 | Required | - | - | Primary ResidenceInspection |
| 8 | Naperville, IL | 5 | No | high | $500 | Primary ResidenceMin 31-night stayInspection |
| 9 | Shorewood, MN | 5 | - | low | - | Min 30-night stayInspection |
| 10 | Irvine, CA | 5 | No | high | $1,500 | Primary ResidenceMin 31-night stay |
| 11 | Rancho Mirage, CA | 5 | - | high | $10,000 | Primary ResidenceMin 28-night stay |
| 12 | McMinnville, OR | 5 | Required | medium | $1,781 | Primary ResidenceMax 30 nights/yrDensity LimitInspection |
| 13 | Boulder, CO | 5 | Required | medium | $1,000 | Primary ResidencePermit CapMin 2-night stayMax 45 nights/yrDensity LimitInspection |
| 14 | Louisville, CO | 5 | No | high | $2,500 | |
| 15 | Collingwood, ON | 5 | Required | high | $25,000 | Primary ResidencePermit CapMax 28 nights/yrInspection |
| 16 | Palm Beach, FL | 5 | Required | high | - | Min 90-night stay |
| 17 | Santa Monica, CA | 5 | Required | high | $10,000 | Primary ResidenceMin 14-night stayInspection |
| 18 | Los Angeles, CA | 7 | Required | high | $2,000 | Primary ResidenceMin 30-night stayMax 120 nights/yrInspection |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | 9 | Required | high | $1,000 | Primary ResidenceMax 90 nights/yr |
| 20 | Mammoth Lakes, CA | 10 | Required | high | $10,000 | Primary ResidenceInspection |
| 21 | Savannah, GA | 11 | Required | medium | $1,000 | Primary ResidenceDensity LimitInspection |
| 22 | Madison, WI | 11 | Required | high | $1,000 | Primary ResidenceMax 30 nights/yrDensity LimitInspection |
| 23 | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 12 | Required | high | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapMin 2-night stayMax 30 nights/yrInspection |
| 24 | Philadelphia, PA | 12 | Required | medium | $12,000 | Primary ResidenceMax 90 nights/yrInspection |
| 25 | Burlington, VT | 12 | Required | high | $500 | Primary ResidenceMax 14 nights/yrInspection |
Markets with the highest risk scores - minimal regulation and low barriers to entry.
| # | Market | Score | License | Enforcement | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun Valley, ID | 98 | No | - | - |
| 2 | West Des Moines, IA | 98 | No | low | 12% |
| 3 | Loveland, OH | 98 | No | low | 6.75% |
| 4 | Urbandale, IA | 98 | No | low | 5% |
| 5 | Bismarck, ND | 98 | No | low | 8.5% |
| 6 | St. Simons Island, GA | 98 | Required | low | 7% |
| 7 | Michigan City, IN | 98 | Required | low | 6% |
| 8 | Boise, ID | 98 | No | - | - |
| 9 | Outer Banks, NC | 98 | Required | low | 12.75% |
| 10 | Southern Pines, NC | 97 | No | medium | 7% |
| 11 | Marco Island, FL | 97 | No | low | 12.5% |
| 12 | Wrightsville Beach, NC | 96 | Required | low | 6.75% |
| 13 | Branson West, MO | 96 | Required | low | - |
| 14 | Wayne County, IA | 96 | No | - | 12% |
| 15 | Prescott Valley, AZ | 96 | Required | low | - |
| 16 | York Beach, ME | 96 | Required | low | 9% |
| 17 | Long Beach Island, NJ | 96 | Required | low | - |
| 18 | Morehead City, NC | 96 | Required | low | 6.75% |
| 19 | Table Rock Lake, MO | 96 | Required | low | - |
| 20 | Lewis Smith Lake, AL | 96 | Required | low | 10% |
| 21 | Glacier, MT | 95 | Required | - | 8% |
| 22 | Schenevus, NY | 95 | Required | low | - |
| 23 | Lanier County, GA | 95 | No | low | - |
| 24 | Garland County, AR | 95 | No | low | - |
| 25 | Indian Shores, FL | 95 | No | - | - |
Where non-compliance hits your wallet the hardest.
Ottawa, ON
high enforcement
$100,000
Toronto, ON
high enforcement
$100,000
Carefree, AZ
high enforcement
$100,000
Delray Beach, FL
high enforcement
$100,000
Muskoka, ON
high enforcement
$60,000
Tofino, BC
low enforcement
$50,000
Tyler, TX
low enforcement
$34,512
Mountain View, CA
low enforcement
$30,320
Portland, ME
medium enforcement
$27,513
Portland, OR
$27,513
Combined state and local lodging tax rates.
Every market is scored 0 to 100 based on real regulation data. A score of 100 means fully permissive with no STR-specific rules. A score near 0 means short-term rentals are effectively prohibited.
More cities are regulating short-term rentals each year. Markets that were permissive two years ago may now require licensing, inspections, and tax registration. These rankings update daily as we track regulatory changes across all 729 markets.
Aspen, CO currently has the strictest STR regulations with a risk score of 5 out of 100. A license is required. Enforcement is high. Fines can reach $2,650.
Sun Valley, ID is the most welcoming with a risk score of 98 out of 100. No STR license is required.
Rankings pull from our live database of 729 markets. As we verify new regulations or cities update their rules, the rankings reflect those changes automatically.
The risk score ranges from 0 to 100. A higher score means fewer regulations and lower barriers to operating an STR. A lower score means stricter rules, higher fines, and more compliance requirements. Scores are calculated from real government data, not estimates.
Rankings are based on data in our database and update as regulations change. This is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with your local jurisdiction.
Search 729+ markets for detailed regulation data, tax rates, and compliance requirements.