Salt Lake City vs San Antonio

Utah Effectively Banned | Texas Legal with Permit

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

Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
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

Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details for STR licensing, while San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee. Salt Lake City renewal is annual, and San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years). Overall, San Antonio has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Salt Lake City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Salt Lake City, hosts pay ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). 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 Salt Lake City face penalties including Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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.

Salt Lake City Overview

Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.

Contact: Salt Lake City Planning Division — (801) 535-7700

Full Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City or San Antonio?
Salt Lake City is classified as "Effectively Banned" while San Antonio is "Legal with Permit." Salt Lake City's permit fee is Contact city for current details 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 — Salt Lake City or San Antonio?
Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT), 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?
Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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 Salt Lake City and San Antonio have day limits for Airbnb?
Salt Lake City has no annual day limit. San Antonio has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Salt Lake City or San Antonio?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details for permits with ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) 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 Salt Lake City and San Antonio makes compliance easier for beginners.