San Antonio vs Tampa
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. | |
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
Permits & Licensing
San Antonio charges Type 1 $300/3 years; Type 2 $450/3 years; $200 application fee for STR licensing, while Tampa charges $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required. San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years), and Tampa renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal with Permit."
Tax Obligations
In San Antonio, hosts pay 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). In Tampa, hosts pay ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax). 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 Tampa, violations can result in Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction. 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 →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.
Contact: Tampa Land Development Coordination — (813) 274-3100
Full Tampa guide →