Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Santa Fe?

**Yes**, Santa Fe requires a Short-Term Rental Permit. You need to apply for a permit through the city. Be aware that the initial application fee is $1,000. Non-owner occupied permits are limited to one per person. Operating without this permit may result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Fe?

**7% TOT** is the current lodgers' tax rate for short-term rentals in Santa Fe. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. In addition to the lodgers' tax, hosts must also collect and remit state gross receipts tax. Check current tax rates.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Fe?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Santa Fe, but they are strictly regulated. You need to obtain a permit and collect the appropriate taxes. Note that non-owner occupied permits are limited to one per person. It is important to comply with all local regulations to avoid penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Santa Fe?

**$1,000** is the initial application fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Santa Fe. This is a one-time fee associated with the application process. Be aware that there may be additional fees or renewal costs associated with maintaining your permit. Always check the city's website.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Santa Fe?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Santa Fe. The city's regulations require that only property owners can obtain short-term rental permits. Renters are prohibited from subletting their units as short-term rentals. Check your lease agreement and local ordinances before listing.

Santa Fe, NM Short-Term Rental Laws...

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

The City of Santa Fe strictly regulates short-term rentals, limiting non-owner occupied permits to one per person and imposing a significant $1,000 initial application fee. Hosts must collect and remit a 7% Lodgers' tax in addition to state gross receipts tax.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 48 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•High permit fee: $1000
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Santa Fe, you must first apply for a specific Short-Term Rental permit which costs $1,000 for the first year. You are generally only allowed to hold one short-term rental permit for a property you don't live in. You must also pass a fire inspection and display your permit number on all online listings. Even if your platform (like Airbnb) collects taxes for you, the city requires you to file a monthly report to confirm your booking activity.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$1,000

Processing Time

4-8 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify if you are in the 'City' or 'County' - County rules are less restrictive but apply only outside city limits.
2.Initial application fee is $1,000, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.
3.Non-owner occupied permits are limited to one per individual.
4.ADUs built after 2017 are generally prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
5.Monthly lodgers' tax reports must be filed even if you had zero bookings that month.
6.The 2-night minimum stay is strictly enforced by the city's code enforcement team.
7.You must post a 'Notice to Neighbors' including your 24/7 contact information.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

•Santa Fe prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) built after 2017, Tents, RVs.
•Santa Fe rent control/RSO note: Rent-controlled units or government-subsidized housing cannot be used for STRs.
•Santa Fe does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements(19)

•Santa Fe: You must post a 'Notice to Neighbors' including your 24/7 contact information.
•Santa Fe, NM has different permit classes: Owner-Occupied (Unlimited), Non-Owner Occupied (1 per person limit). Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application Process(10)

•STR regulations overview for Santa Fe: The City of Santa Fe strictly regulates short-term rentals, limiting non-owner occupied permits to one per person and imposing a significant $1,000 initial application fee. Hosts must collect and remit a 7% Lodgers' tax in addition to state gross receipts tax.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Santa Fe: Initial application fee is $1,000, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.
•Santa Fe charges a registration fee of $1000 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Application fee is $1,000 for new permits; $100 for renewals.).

Taxes(3)

•New Mexico has a state sales tax of 8.0625% that applies to STR rentals.
•Santa Fe charges a Lodgers' Tax of 7%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 7% Lodgers' Tax, but hosts must still file monthly reports even if zero tax is due.

Limits & Restrictions(11)

•Santa Fe requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
•Santa Fe, NM occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Santa Fe: Verify if you are in the 'City' or 'County' - County rules are less restrictive but apply only outside city limits.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Santa Fe requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking layout must be posted, Noise ordinance must be displayed.

Penalties(3)

•Santa Fe enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 per day. Second offense: $500 per day and possible permit suspension. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: No maximum stated; accumulates daily. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

•Santa Fe: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Santa Fe exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other New Mexico Markets

Albuquerque

New Mexico

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Albuquerque are regulated under Part 13-1-4 of the City Code, requiring an annual permit ($50) and business registration. Hosts must comply with a 10-person occupancy cap, 24/7 local response requirements, and an 8% combined Lodgers' and Hospitality tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Angel Fire

New Mexico

Moderate

The Village of Angel Fire requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual STR permit and pay a 5% Lodgers' Tax. Regulations are governed by Ordinance 2022-04, which mandates occupancy limits and monthly tax reporting regardless of platform remittance.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Taos

New Mexico

Strict

The Town of Taos requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both a business license and a specific STR permit, with fees varying based on whether the owner resides on-site. The town imposes a 7% Lodgers' Tax and limits owners to holding only one STR permit at a time.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Ruidoso

New Mexico

Moderate

The Village of Ruidoso requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit and undergo a fire safety inspection. Occupancy is strictly limited based on bedroom count, and all properties must utilize bear-proof trash containers to comply with local wildlife protection laws.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Santa Fe

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(11)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other New Mexico Markets

Albuquerque

Angel Fire

Taos

Ruidoso

Santa Fe

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Santa Fe?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Fe?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Fe?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Santa Fe?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Santa Fe?

Related Content

Other New Mexico Markets

Albuquerque

Angel Fire

Taos

Ruidoso