Miami vs San Antonio
Florida Restricted | Texas Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Miami, Florida | San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee | Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee |
| Tax Rate | 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax) | 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual (city); Biennial (state) | Triennial (every 3 years) |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement | 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. | |
Miami, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee
Tax Rate 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement
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.
Miami Overview
STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.
Full Miami 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 Miami or San Antonio?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license 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 — Miami or San Antonio?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax), 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?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. San Antonio: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years.