Raleigh vs San Antonio
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Raleigh, North Carolina | San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal | Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee |
| Tax Rate | ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax) | 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) |
| Annual Day Limit | 120 days/year | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Triennial (every 3 years) |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible | Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
Permits & Licensing
Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. Raleigh renewal is annual, and San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years). Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."
Tax Obligations
In Raleigh, hosts pay ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy 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
Raleigh imposes a 120-night annual limit, while San Antonio has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.
Fines & Enforcement
Hosts operating without a permit in Raleigh face penalties including $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. 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.
Raleigh Overview
STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.
Contact: Planning and Development — (919) 996-2500
Full Raleigh 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 →