Good Neighbors, Great Stays: Why Compliance Keeps San Antonio’s Short-Term Rentals Strong

We need to support our city as much as possible! As short-term rental hosts in San Antonio, we have a simple but powerful responsibility: to be good neighbors. Whether your property is in King William, Stone Oak, Southtown, or the far West Side, how we manage our homes — and how our guests experience our city — shapes how our community and our leaders see short-term rentals.

City support for STRs depends on one thing: responsible, compliant hosting.

Why Compliance Matters

Over the past few years, I’ve worked closely with neighborhood associations and city officials throughout San Antonio. Again and again, the same truth comes up — hosts who follow the rules, respect their neighbors, and pay their taxes help protect the right for everyone to operate.

Compliance isn’t just a checklist. It’s the foundation of community trust. That means:

• Keeping your property clean and quiet. Pick up trash, put your bins away, and remind guests about parking and quiet hours.

• Preventing parties and nuisances. Use noise monitoring tools, set clear expectations in your house rules, and respond quickly to neighbor concerns.

• Operating legally. Secure your STR permit from the City of San Antonio’s Development Services Department (DSD).

• Paying your hotel occupancy tax (HOT). It’s required by law and helps fund city services and tourism marketing that benefit everyone.

  
  

When hosts are visible as part of the solution, not the problem, City Council notices. So do our neighbors.

How to Get (and Stay) Compliant

1. Apply for your STR permit. All short-term rentals in San Antonio must be registered. You can find the application and FAQs here: San Antonio Short-Term Rental Permit Portal

Need help?

• The Development Services Department (DSD) offers in-person and virtual assistance at the One Stop Center, 1901 S. Alamo St.

• You can also email DSDSTR@sanantonio.gov for guidance.

  
  

2. Register and pay your Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). Hosts are required to collect and remit 6% state, 9% city, and 1.75% county HOT on all stays under 30 days. Airbnb and Vrbo currently collect and remit state and city HOT for you, but county HOT must be collected from the guest and remitted directly by the host through the City’s online portal: City of San Antonio Hotel Occupancy Tax Filing

3. Follow neighborhood rules. Some areas, particularly historic districts and HOAs, have additional restrictions or design guidelines. Always verify before listing or expanding your STR.

4. Keep your listing information up to date. Ensure your city permit number is visible on your Airbnb, Vrbo, or direct booking page — it’s required and helps the City’s compliance system recognize your property as legitimate.

STRASA Is Here to Help

The Short Term Rental Association of San Antonio (STRASA) works closely with hosts, the City, and neighborhood groups to promote fair, balanced policies.

We offer:

• Guides for permits, HOT filing, and compliance best practices.

• Vendor recommendations for trash, noise monitoring, and guest management tools.

• Community meetups with City officials and other hosts to share updates and solutions.

If you need help getting permitted, filing taxes, or understanding the rules, contact us anytime at www.strassociationofsa.com.

The Bigger Picture

Our ability to host — and to keep welcoming guests to San Antonio’s neighborhoods — depends on how well we show up as good neighbors. Each compliant, respectful host strengthens our city’s trust in the short-term rental community.

Let’s continue to prove that responsible hosting and community pride go hand in hand. Together, we can keep San Antonio a place where guests feel welcome, neighbors feel respected, and hosts feel proud.