San Antonio vs Tampa
Texas Legal with Permit | Florida Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | San Antonio, Texas | Tampa, Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee | $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required |
| Tax Rate | 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county) | ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Triennial (every 3 years) | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Up to $500 per offense; each day is a separate violation; permit revocation up to 3 years | Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
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
Tampa, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required
Tax Rate ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
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.
Full San Antonio guide →Tampa Overview
No city-specific STR ordinance — state DBPR license and county Business Tax Receipt are primary requirements. Florida's 2011 preemption law limits local restrictions. STRs generally allowed in commercial and mixed-use zones.
Full Tampa guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in San Antonio or Tampa?
San Antonio is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Tampa is "Legal with Permit." San Antonio's permit fee is Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee compared to $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required in Tampa.
Which city has higher STR taxes — San Antonio or Tampa?
San Antonio charges 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county), while Tampa charges ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
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. Tampa: Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction.