Dallas vs San Antonio
Texas Restricted | Texas Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Dallas, Texas | San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $285 registration fee | Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee |
| Tax Rate | 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state) | 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Triennial (every 3 years) |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500–$2,000/violation | Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years |
| Verdict | San Antonio has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Dallas, Texas
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $285 registration fee
Tax Rate 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation
San Antonio, Texas
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee
Tax Rate 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Triennial (every 3 years)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years
San Antonio has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Dallas Overview
Dallas banned non-owner-occupied STRs in residential single-family zoning districts effective April 2023. Owner-occupied or 'hosted' stays and multifamily/commercial zoning remain allowed with registration.
Full Dallas guide →San Antonio Overview
Two-tier permit system (Type 1 owner-occupied, Type 2 investment). Type 2 STRs capped at 12.5% of housing per blockface; platforms must remove listings without valid permit numbers.
Full San Antonio guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Dallas or San Antonio?
Dallas is classified as "Restricted" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Dallas's permit fee is $285 registration fee compared to Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee in San Antonio.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Dallas or San Antonio?
Dallas charges 13% Hotel Occupancy Tax (7% city + 6% state), while San Antonio charges 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Dallas: $500–$2,000/violation. San Antonio: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years.