Short-term rental permit rules in San Antonio, TX — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
San Antonio requires STR permits through Development Services Department under UDC §35-374.01. Type 1 (owner-occupied) permits cost $300/3 years; Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) cost $450/3 years. The June 2024 ordinance amendment strengthened enforcement, requiring platforms to remove unpermitted listings.
San Antonio UDC §35-374.01 defines STRs as rentals of less than 30 consecutive days and not less than 12 hours. Two permit types exist: Type 1 (owner/operator-occupied, $300/3 years) and Type 2 (non-owner-occupied investment, $450/3 years). The June 13, 2024 ordinance (2024-06-13-0433) significantly strengthened enforcement — platforms like Airbnb and VRBO must remove listings without valid permit numbers. Properties in historic districts (King William, Dignowity Hill, Monte Vista) face additional HDRC review. Safety requirements include smoke detectors, CO detectors, and posted emergency information. Permits are non-transferable to another owner, operator, or location. For ADUs used as STRs, the owner must occupy either the main house or the ADU.
Operating without permit: fines starting at $500/day. Repeat offenders: up to $2,000/day. Third violation: mandatory meeting with DSD director. Permit revocation for up to 3 years.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio noise ordinance quiet hours are 10 PM–6 AM Sun–Thu and 11 PM–6 AM Fri–Sat (City Code Ch. 21, Art. III). Residential cap 63 dB(A) day / 56 dB(A) n...
San Antonio, TX
All possession, sale, use, transport, and manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within San Antonio city limits and within 5,000 feet of those limits, per th...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Property owners may install yard decorations year-r...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays (giant Santas, snowmen, pumpkins). Inflatables are permitted on residen...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance specifying installation or removal dates, brightness limits, or amplified audio rules for residential holiday light display...
San Antonio, TX
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Antonio require multiple permits through the Development Services Department: a Residential Improvements building permit, a ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bexar County.
See how other cities in Bexar County handle permit requirements.
See how San Antonio's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.