Key West vs San Antonio
Florida Restricted | Texas Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Key West, Florida | San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee | Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee |
| Tax Rate | 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales) | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate | 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. | |
Key West, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection fee
Tax Rate 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate
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.
Key West Overview
Moratorium on new transient rental licenses — only grandfathered properties may operate STRs under 28 days. Existing licenses are property-specific and command $400K+ on the secondary market. Florida DBPR state license also required.
Full Key West 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 Key West or San Antonio?
Key West is classified as "Restricted" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Key West's permit fee is $150 Business Tax Receipt + $110 Transient Manager License + fire inspection 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 — Key West or San Antonio?
Key West charges 12.5% combined (5% county tourist dev. + 7.5% state sales), 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?
Key West: Up to $5,000/violation and 60 days imprisonment; each day is separate. San Antonio: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years.