Sacramento vs Santa Fe

California Legal with Permit | New Mexico Legal but Limited

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
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

Sacramento has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax for STR licensing, while Santa Fe charges $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license. Sacramento renewal is annual, and Santa Fe renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Santa Fe (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. In Santa Fe, hosts pay ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax. 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, violations can result in Up to $500/day for operating without permit. 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 →

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.

Contact: Santa Fe Land Use Dept. — (505) 955-6639

Full Santa Fe guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Sacramento or Santa Fe?
Sacramento is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Santa Fe is "Legal but Limited." Sacramento's permit fee is $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax compared to $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license in Santa Fe. Overall, Sacramento has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Sacramento or Santa Fe?
Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments, while Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Sacramento and Santa Fe have day limits for Airbnb?
Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year. Santa Fe has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Sacramento or Santa Fe?
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. Santa Fe charges $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license with ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax. Automatic tax collection in Sacramento and Santa Fe makes compliance easier for beginners.