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Data Report
2026 rankings based on real regulation data across 569 US markets. Updated daily.
569
Markets Analyzed
77%
Require Licensing
103
High Enforcement
10.2%
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/yr |
| 2 | Edina, MN | 5 | Required | high | - | Min 30-night stay |
| 3 | New York, NY | 5 | Required | high | $5,000 | Density Limit |
| 4 | Sonoma, CA | 5 | Required | - | - | Min 7-night stayMax 90 nights/yrDensity Limit |
| 5 | Santa Barbara, CA | 5 | Required | - | - | Primary ResidenceInspection |
| 6 | Estes Park, CO | 5 | Required | medium | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapDensity Limit |
| 7 | Naperville, IL | 5 | - | high | $500 | |
| 8 | Shorewood, MN | 5 | - | low | - | Min 30-night stayInspection |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | 5 | - | high | $1,500 | Min 31-night stay |
| 10 | Rancho Mirage, CA | 5 | - | high | $10,000 | Min 28-night stay |
| 11 | Walla Walla, WA | 5 | Required | high | - | Primary ResidenceMax 90 nights/yr |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | 5 | Required | medium | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapMin 2-night stayMax 45 nights/yrDensity Limit |
| 13 | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 15 | Required | high | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapMin 2-night stayMax 30 nights/yrInspection |
| 14 | Marin County, CA | 17 | Required | - | - | Primary ResidencePermit Cap |
| 15 | Cannon Beach, OR | 17 | Required | low | - | Max 14 nights/yrInspection |
| 16 | Breckenridge, CO | 18 | Required | medium | - | Primary ResidenceMax 21 nights/yr |
| 17 | Durango, CO | 18 | Required | high | $100 | Primary ResidencePermit CapDensity LimitInspection |
| 18 | Duluth, MN | 20 | Required | medium | - | Primary ResidenceMin 2-night stayMax 21 nights/yrInspection |
| 19 | Jersey City, NJ | 20 | Required | - | $2,000 | Primary ResidenceMax 60 nights/yrInspection |
| 20 | Las Vegas, NV | 21 | Required | high | $1,000 | Primary ResidenceDensity LimitInspection |
| 21 | Santa Fe, NM | 22 | Required | - | - | Primary ResidencePermit CapDensity Limit |
| 22 | Astoria, OR | 26 | Required | high | - | Permit CapInspection |
| 23 | Bellingham, WA | 27 | Required | medium | - | Primary ResidenceMin 30-night stayMax 95 nights/yr |
| 24 | Hallandale Beach, FL | 28 | Required | - | $500 | Primary ResidenceMin 90-night stayMax 30 nights/yrInspection |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | 29 | Required | high | - | Primary Residence |
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 | Urbandale, IA | 97 | - | low | 13% |
| 3 | West Des Moines, IA | 96 | - | low | 12% |
| 4 | Dripping Springs, TX | 96 | - | low | 13% |
| 5 | Kyle, TX | 96 | - | low | 13% |
| 6 | Waikiki, HI | 96 | Required | low | - |
| 7 | Abilene, TX | 96 | - | low | 13% |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 96 | - | - | 12% |
| 9 | South Bend, IN | 96 | - | low | - |
| 10 | Whitefish Lake, MT | 96 | Required | - | 8% |
| 11 | Schenevus, NY | 95 | Required | low | - |
| 12 | Cave Creek, AZ | 95 | - | - | - |
| 13 | Blue Ridge, GA | 95 | Required | low | - |
| 14 | White Cloud, MI | 95 | - | low | 6% |
| 15 | Round Rock, TX | 95 | - | - | - |
| 16 | Livingston, MT | 95 | Required | low | 8% |
| 17 | Amarillo, TX | 95 | - | low | 13% |
| 18 | Big Sky, MT | 95 | Required | - | 14% |
| 19 | Juneau, AK | 95 | Required | - | 9% |
| 20 | Topeka, KS | 95 | Required | low | - |
| 21 | Lake of the Ozarks, MO | 95 | - | low | - |
| 22 | Lake Martin, AL | 95 | - | low | 15.5% |
| 23 | West Palm Beach, FL | 94 | Required | low | 12.5% |
| 24 | Newark, CA | 94 | - | low | 14% |
| 25 | Corolla, NC | 94 | - | low | 12.75% |
Where non-compliance hits your wallet the hardest.
Portland, OR
$27,513
Sacramento County, CA
$25,000
Miami Beach, FL
high enforcement
$15,000
Cincinnati, OH
high enforcement
$15,000
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$15,000
Rancho Mirage, CA
high enforcement
$10,000
Mammoth Lakes, CA
high enforcement
$10,000
North Las Vegas, NV
$10,000
South Bend, IN
low enforcement
$7,500
New York, NY
high enforcement
$5,000
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 569 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 569 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 569+ markets for detailed regulation data, tax rates, and compliance requirements.