Austin vs Salt Lake City
Texas Legal but Limited | Utah Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Austin, Texas | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) | Contact city for current details |
| Tax Rate | 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines |
| Verdict | Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Austin, Texas
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)
Tax Rate 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Austin Overview
Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.
Full Austin guide →Salt Lake City Overview
Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.
Full Salt Lake City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Salt Lake City?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Salt Lake City?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines.