Santa Fe vs Seattle

New Mexico Legal but Limited | Washington 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
Seattle, Washington
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year short-term rental operator license
Tax Rate 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for operating without a license

Seattle 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 Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license. Santa Fe renewal is annual, and Seattle renewal is annual. Overall, Seattle 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 Seattle, hosts pay 15.6% combined lodging 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 Seattle, violations can result in $500/day for operating without a license. 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 →

Seattle Overview

Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units may be licensed. Operators may list up to 2 units. A platform license is also required for listing sites. Must collect and remit all applicable lodging taxes.

Contact: Seattle Finance & Admin Services — (206) 684-8484

Full Seattle guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Santa Fe or Seattle?
Santa Fe is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Seattle is "Legal with Permit." Santa Fe's permit fee is $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license compared to $75/year short-term rental operator license in Seattle. Overall, Seattle has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Santa Fe or Seattle?
Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax, while Seattle charges 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit. Seattle: $500/day for operating without a license. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Santa Fe and Seattle have day limits for Airbnb?
Santa Fe has no annual day limit. Seattle has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Santa Fe or Seattle?
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. Seattle charges $75/year short-term rental operator license with 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Santa Fe and Seattle makes compliance easier for beginners.