Santa Fe vs Scottsdale

New Mexico Legal but Limited | Arizona Legal with Permit

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

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
Scottsdale, Arizona
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year
Tax Rate ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months

Scottsdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Santa Fe charges $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license for STR licensing, while Scottsdale charges $250/year. Santa Fe renewal is annual, and Scottsdale renewal is annual. Overall, Scottsdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Santa Fe (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Santa Fe, hosts pay ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax. In Scottsdale, hosts pay ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). 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 Santa Fe face penalties including Up to $500/day for operating without permit. In Scottsdale, violations can result in $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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 →

Scottsdale Overview

Ordinance 4566 caps occupancy at 6 adults plus dependent children, requires 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, $500K liability insurance, and neighbor notification within 30 days. Special events and commercial uses prohibited.

Contact: Scottsdale Code Enforcement — (480) 312-2546

Full Scottsdale guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Santa Fe or Scottsdale?
Santa Fe is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Scottsdale is "Legal with Permit." Santa Fe's permit fee is $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license compared to $250/year in Scottsdale. Overall, Scottsdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Santa Fe or Scottsdale?
Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax, while Scottsdale charges ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit. Scottsdale: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Santa Fe and Scottsdale have day limits for Airbnb?
Santa Fe has no annual day limit. Scottsdale has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Santa Fe or Scottsdale?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Santa Fe charges $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license for permits with ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax in taxes. Scottsdale charges $250/year with ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Santa Fe and Scottsdale makes compliance easier for beginners.