Philadelphia vs Santa Fe
Pennsylvania Legal with Permit | New Mexico Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | $50 Limited Lodging license | $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license |
| Tax Rate | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax | ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax |
| Annual Day Limit | 180 days/year | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unlicensed rental | Up to $500/day for operating without permit |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license
Tax Rate ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $500/day for operating without permit
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Philadelphia Overview
Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.
Full Philadelphia guide →Santa Fe Overview
Residential zone STRs capped at 1,000 citywide permits; one per person; must be 50+ feet from another STR. Rentals limited to once per 7-day period (except Nov 15–Jan 15). Local operator must respond within 1 hour.
Full Santa Fe guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Philadelphia or Santa Fe?
Philadelphia is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Santa Fe is "Legal but Limited." Philadelphia's permit fee is $50 Limited Lodging license compared to $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license in Santa Fe.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Philadelphia or Santa Fe?
Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax, while Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit.