Austin vs Savannah

Texas Legal but Limited | Georgia Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

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
Savannah, Georgia
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $400 initial application; $250/year renewal
Tax Rate 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation

Savannah has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for STR licensing, while Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal. Austin renewal is annual, and Savannah renewal is annual. Overall, Savannah has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Austin (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Austin, hosts pay 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state). In Savannah, hosts pay 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Savannah, but hosts in Austin must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Austin face penalties including $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. In Savannah, violations can result in Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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.

Contact: Austin Code Department — 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000

Full Austin guide →

Savannah Overview

STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.

Contact: Savannah Planning & Urban Design — (912) 525-2783

Full Savannah guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Savannah?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Savannah is "Legal with Permit." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $400 initial application; $250/year renewal in Savannah. Overall, Savannah has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Savannah?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Savannah charges 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Notably, Savannah benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Austin must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Savannah: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Austin and Savannah have day limits for Airbnb?
Austin has no annual day limit. Savannah has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Austin or Savannah?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for permits with 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) in taxes. Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal with 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Savannah makes compliance easier for beginners.