San Antonio vs Washington DC

Texas Legal with Permit | District of Columbia 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
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $104.50 for 2-year license
Tax Rate 14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging tax)
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $2,000 second; $6,000 third + license revocation

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 Washington DC charges $104.50 for 2-year license. San Antonio renewal is triennial (every 3 years), and Washington DC renewal is every 2 years. Overall, San Antonio has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Washington DC (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In San Antonio, hosts pay 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county). In Washington DC, hosts pay 14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging tax). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Washington DC imposes a 90-night annual limit, while San Antonio has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

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 Washington DC, violations can result in $500 first violation; $2,000 second; $6,000 third + license revocation. 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 →

Washington DC Overview

Primary residence only (must qualify for Homestead Deduction). Hosted stays have no day cap. Vacation rentals (unhosted) capped at 90 nights/year. Must carry $250K liability insurance.

Contact: DC DLCP Short-Term Rental Hotline — (202) 221-8550

Full Washington DC guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in San Antonio or Washington DC?
San Antonio is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Washington DC 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 $104.50 for 2-year license in Washington DC. Overall, San Antonio has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — San Antonio or Washington DC?
San Antonio charges 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state + 9% city + 1.75% county), while Washington DC charges 14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging 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. Washington DC: $500 first violation; $2,000 second; $6,000 third + license revocation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do San Antonio and Washington DC have day limits for Airbnb?
San Antonio has no annual day limit. Washington DC limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — San Antonio or Washington DC?
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. Washington DC charges $104.50 for 2-year license with 14.5% combined (sales tax on accommodations + transient lodging tax). Automatic tax collection in San Antonio and Washington DC makes compliance easier for beginners.