New Orleans vs San Antonio

Louisiana Restricted | Texas Legal with Permit

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

New Orleans, Louisiana
Status Restricted
Permit Fee NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year
Tax Rate 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing
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.

Permits & Licensing

New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. New Orleans renewal is annual, and San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years). Overall, San Antonio has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New Orleans (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In New Orleans, hosts pay 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. 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 New Orleans face penalties including $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. 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.

New Orleans Overview

Heavily restricted: French Quarter is banned (except parts of Bourbon St), permits limited to owner's primary residence via lottery, CSTR permits frozen since 2023, and one STR per block density cap applies.

Contact: New Orleans STR Administration — (504) 658-7144

Full New Orleans 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 New Orleans or San Antonio?
New Orleans is classified as "Restricted" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." New Orleans's permit fee is NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year compared to Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee in San Antonio. Overall, San Antonio has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — New Orleans or San Antonio?
New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee, 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?
New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. 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 New Orleans and San Antonio have day limits for Airbnb?
New Orleans has no annual day limit. San Antonio has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — New Orleans or San Antonio?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year for permits with 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee 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 New Orleans and San Antonio makes compliance easier for beginners.