New York City vs San Antonio

New York Effectively Banned | Texas Legal with Permit

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

New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations
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 York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE) for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. New York City renewal is every 2 years, and San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years). Overall, San Antonio has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New York City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In New York City, hosts pay 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. 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 York City face penalties including $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. 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 York City Overview

Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.

Contact: NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement — (212) 676-4101

Full New York City 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 York City or San Antonio?
New York City is classified as "Effectively Banned" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." New York City's permit fee is $145 registration fee (OSE) 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 York City or San Antonio?
New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax, 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 York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. 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 York City and San Antonio have day limits for Airbnb?
New York City has no annual day limit. San Antonio has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — New York City or San Antonio?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE) for permits with 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax 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 York City and San Antonio makes compliance easier for beginners.