San Antonio vs Santa Fe

Texas Legal with Permit | New Mexico Legal but Limited

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

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
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

San Antonio has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee for STR licensing, while Santa Fe charges $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license. San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years), and Santa Fe renewal is annual. Overall, San Antonio has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Santa Fe (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In San Antonio, hosts pay 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). 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

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in San Antonio face penalties including Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years. 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.

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 →

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 San Antonio or Santa Fe?
San Antonio is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Santa Fe is "Legal but Limited." San Antonio's permit fee is Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee compared to $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license in Santa Fe. Overall, San Antonio has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — San Antonio or Santa Fe?
San Antonio charges 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county), while Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
San Antonio: Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years. Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do San Antonio and Santa Fe have day limits for Airbnb?
San Antonio has no annual day limit. Santa Fe has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — San Antonio or Santa Fe?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee for permits with 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) 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 San Antonio and Santa Fe makes compliance easier for beginners.