| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — City STR permit required (two-tier: Type 1 owner-occupied; Type 2 non-owner-occupied) under the STR ordinance (Article XXII), applicable only wi |
| Tax Rate | 9% City HOT + 1.75% Bexar County HOT, plus 6% Texas state HOT. |
| Night / Day Cap | Unknown — no explicit annual day cap identified. |
| Minimum Stay | Unknown — no minimum-stay requirement identified. |
| Permit Fee | After 2024 amendment: Type 1 permit $300; Type 2 permit $450 — both valid 3 years. Board of Adjustment special-exception application: $400 (homestead) |
| Penalties | Civil enforcement via administrative hearing officers; mandatory meetings with the DSD director for repeat violators; permit revocation of up to 3 yea |
| Primary Residence Required | Not for all — Type 1 requires the property to be the owner/operator's primary residence (incl. accessory dwelling units); Type 2 is non-owner-occupied |
| Occupancy Limit | Set per permit via a submitted floor plan identifying sleeping areas and maximum occupancy; no single citywide numeric figure identified. STRs may not |
Short-term rental operations in San Antonio, Texas are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — City STR permit required (two-tier: Type 1 owner-occupied; Type 2 non-owner-occupied) under the STR ordinance (Article XXII), applicable only within San Antonio city limits. Applications via the. The associated permit fees are After 2024 amendment: Type 1 permit $300; Type 2 permit $450 — both valid 3 years. Board of Adjustme.
Short-term rental operators in San Antonio should be aware of these tax obligations: 9% City HOT + 1.75% Bexar County HOT, plus 6% Texas state HOT.. Yes — register with the City of San Antonio Finance Dept. for a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) account and with the Texas Comptroller for state HOT (state .
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in San Antonio include: Primary residence requirement: Not for all — Type 1 requires the property to be the owner/operator's primary residence (incl. accessory dwelling units). Rental day cap: Unknown — no explicit annual day cap identified.. Occupancy limit: Set per permit via a submitted floor plan identifying sleeping areas and maximum occupancy; no single citywide numeric f. Minimum stay: Unknown — no minimum-stay requirement identified..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in San Antonio: Permitted in various residential and commercial zoning districts (residential, O-1, O-1.5, O-2, NC, C-1, C-2, and D commercial zones). Type 1 has no density limit; Type 2 subject to density caps.. Density rules: Type 1: no density limit. Type 2: allowed by right up to 12.5% of units on a blockface (one side of a street between intersections); multi-family buil. Insurance: Yes — proof of general liability insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000.
Hosts who fail to comply with San Antonio's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Civil enforcement via administrative hearing officers; mandatory meetings with the DSD director for repeat violators; permit revocation of up to 3 years for serious/repeat violations. Violation notice.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in San Antonio: Marketplaces (Airbnb/Vrbo) must remove San Antonio listings lacking a valid STR permit number and are now required to collect/remit city occupancy tax; they automatically collect the state HOT portion.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in San Antonio with proper registration and permits. Permit application requires a floor plan (sleeping areas, max occupancy, evacuation routes, fire-extinguisher locations), designated agent contact for complaints, proof of HOT registration, statement
Yes. San Antonio requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — City STR permit required (two-tier: Type 1 owner-occupied; Type 2 non-owner-occupied) under the STR ordinance (Article XXII), applicable only within San Antonio city limits. Applications via the BuildSA online portal / DSD..
Short-term rental hosts in San Antonio are subject to the following tax obligations: 9% City HOT + 1.75% Bexar County HOT, plus 6% Texas state HOT..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in San Antonio may face enforcement. Civil enforcement via administrative hearing officers; mandatory meetings with the DSD director for repeat violators; permit revocation of up to 3 years for serious/repeat violations. Violation notice typically gives 14 days to correct..
Applies only within San Antonio city limits; properties in unincorporated Bexar County need no city permit but must still register for HOT. City estimates 1,100+ unpermitted STRs operating.
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