Sacramento vs San Antonio

California Legal with Permit | Texas Legal with Permit

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

Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details
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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. Sacramento 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 Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. 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

Sacramento imposes a 90-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 Sacramento face penalties including Contact city for current details. 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.

Sacramento Overview

Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.

Contact: Revenue Division, Finance Department — (916) 808-8500

Full Sacramento 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 Sacramento or San Antonio?
Sacramento is classified as "Legal with Permit" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Sacramento's permit fee is $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax compared to Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee in San Antonio. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Sacramento or San Antonio?
Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments, 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?
Sacramento: Contact city for current details. 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 Sacramento and San Antonio have day limits for Airbnb?
Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year. San Antonio has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Sacramento or San Antonio?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax for permits with 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments 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 Sacramento and San Antonio makes compliance easier for beginners.