Santa Fe, NM Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

2(A)(5)(b) of the Santa Fe Land Development Code (SFCC 1987), an owner may not operate, rent, offer to rent, or advertise a short-term rental unit without a valid city-issued permit or registration, and the number must appear in every advertisement, including host-platform listings. Property in a residential zoning district needs a permit under paragraph (c); property outside a residential district needs a registration under paragraph (d). The land use director issues no more than 1,000 residential short-term rental permits citywide, processing complete applications strictly in the order received and placing later applicants on a waiting list once the cap is reached; anyone on the list for a year or more may be asked to reconfirm interest.

Permits go only to natural persons, one per person, even if the property sits in an LLC, trust, or corporation, and a permit does not transfer with a sale: it reverts to the land use department and the new owner must apply fresh, though a surviving spouse or domestic partner may request transfer within 90 days of the holder's death. New residential permits are also barred within a 50-foot radius of another permitted short-term rental unit, with narrow carve-outs for accessory dwelling units and larger multifamily buildings.

Registrations for non-residential property are capped at 12 per building in a multifamily development. Operating, renting, or advertising without the required permit or registration exposes the owner or operator to enforcement under SFCC Sections 1-3 and 14-11, including civil fines and permit revocation.