Fort Lauderdale vs San Antonio

Florida Legal with Permit | Texas Legal with Permit

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

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension
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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years). Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). In San Antonio, hosts pay 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

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 Fort Lauderdale face penalties including $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. In San Antonio, violations can result in Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Fort Lauderdale Overview

Annual registration and Certificate of Compliance required. Occupancy capped at 2 persons per bedroom. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Contact: Fort Lauderdale Community Enhancement & Compliance — (954) 828-8000

Full Fort Lauderdale 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.

Contact: Development Services Department — (210) 207-1111

Full San Antonio guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale or San Antonio?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee in San Antonio. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or San Antonio?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while San Antonio charges 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. San Antonio: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. San Antonio has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or San Antonio?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for permits with ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax) in taxes. San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee with 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). Automatic tax collection in Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio makes compliance easier for beginners.