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Resources

Operating a Short Term Rental in San Antonio

San Antonio Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance

Read the ordinance, learn how permitting and taxes work.

Introduction to Permitting and Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)

Download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation for this workshop here.

Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Collection & Remittance

This presentation includes the new City of San Antonio payment vendor, Avenu Insights, effective 7/1/2023. Find the latest information about remitting HOT at this website. Short term rentals are subject to Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). HOT must be collected for stays under 30 days and remitted to the taxing authority.

Getting a Permit

Permits are required to operate an STR within the City of San Antonio. Here are the instructions to apply via the city's permit site, BuildSA. EMail dsdshorttermrentals@sanantonio.gov with any questions. To explore whether you can get a permit for your address, see below about using the City Zoning Map.

Renew a Permit/Cancel a Permit

Renewing a Permit: Permits are valid for three years; you should receive an email to renew before they expire. Here are the instructions for renewing through the city's permit portal, BuildSA. EMail dsdshorttermrentals@sanantonio.gov​ with any questions.

Canceling a Permit: To cancel, send an email to HotelMonthlyReport@sanantonio.gov and DSDShortTermRentals@sanantonio.gov with the following:

  1. A short statement confirming you want to cancel your STR Permit and close out your HOT Account

  2. Property address

  3. STR Permit Number (STR-xx-xxxxxxxx)

  4. HOT Account Number

Finding STRs on the City Zoning Map

Need to find out if your street already has too many STRs? Learn how to use the zoning map here before you apply for a permit.

Reporting an STR

REPORTING A SUSPECTED UNPERMITTED STR: To report a suspected STR operating without the proper permit, you can:

  • Call 311 and report a violation for a short term rental operating without a permit. You can submit a report anonymously.

  • Go online to 311 (311.sanantonio.gov), choose “Property Maintenance & Construction” and select “Short Term Rentals Permit.” These can be submitted anonymously.

  • Email DSDShortTermRentals@sanantonio.gov. Include the property address and, if possible, the active listing as shown on the advertising website (such as Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway).

REPORTING A PERMITTED STR:

  • Noise - call and file a report with SAPD's non-emergency number, 210.207.SAPD (7273). Obtain case number and report via email to DSDShortTermRentals@sanantonio.gov

  • Trash -  Call 3-1-1

  • Parking - Call 210.207.SAPD (7273) for street parking concerns, blocking driveways, parking on private property, parking too close to intersections, and parked vehicles impeding traffic on city streets.

  • Finding the 24 hr. contact for an STR - To access, please go to the BuildSA portal  at https://aca.sanantonio.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx. Then, Click on “Land Development” and input the STR Permit number in the “Application Number” field; Click “Search”
    Click on “More Details” and look under “Related Contacts.” If you don't have the permit number, search for the permit number by using  the address boxes to put in the street number and street name.

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Galveston, TX STR Ordinance Amendment

This is the amendment that Galveston added to its STR ordinance in 2021 to have platforms verify permits, and collect and remit hotel occupancy tax.

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