Santa Fe Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Permit ($100) — See below for other permit types |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | ~15% |
| Max Penalty | $500 per violation |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
- Short-Term Rental Permit — Your property is in a residential zone (citywide cap of 1,000 permits; $100 application + $325/year)
- Short-Term Rental Registration — Your property is in a non-residential/commercial zone (no citywide cap; $100 application + $325/year)
Short-Term Rental Permit
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $100 |
| Renewal | $325 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Short-Term Rental Registration
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $100 |
| Renewal | $325 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
Apply to City of Santa Fe Land Use Department. Submit application with local operator contact information. Pre-issuance inspection required. Also obtain business license under Section 18-1.
Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| City of Santa Fe Lodger's Tax | 7% | City of Santa Fe |
| New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax | 8.1875% | New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department |
Combined rate: ~15% of gross rental income.
Collection: Airbnb collects and remits Lodger's Tax on behalf of hosts. GRT may require self-remittance.
Filing: GRT filed and remitted to New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. Filing frequency determined by revenue volume (monthly or quarterly).
Rental Limits
Santa Fe does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Twice the number of bedrooms
Zoning & Restrictions
Residential zones require a permit (max 1,000 city-wide). Non-residential zones require a registration (no limit). 50-foot minimum distance between residential STRs. Max 25% of units in multi-family buildings with 4+ units.
Insurance & Safety
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Fire evacuation plan required
- Carbon monoxide detection required
- Smoke alarms in all bedrooms
- Fire extinguishers on each floor
- No storage of combustible materials in mechanical, boiler, or electrical rooms
- Fireplace or wood stove must have non-combustible ash receptacle outside dwelling unit
- Address numerals must be at least 4 inches tall, visible from street
- Certificate of occupancy required before permit issuance
Penalties for Non-Compliance
$100 for first offense, $250 for second offense, $500 for third and subsequent offenses (per 36-month period). Permit revocation and 1-year waiting period for reapplication also possible.
Platform Requirements
Host platforms must require permit/registration numbers in all listings. Upon notice of invalid permit number, host platform must deactivate listing within 5 business days. Monthly report of URLs and permit numbers required.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Santa Fe:
- Determine your permit type. Santa Fe has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Short-Term Rental Permit, Short-Term Rental Registration).
- Meet safety requirements. Fire evacuation plan required. Carbon monoxide detection required. Smoke alarms in all bedrooms. Fire extinguishers on each floor. No storage of combustible materials in mechanical, boiler, or electrical rooms. Fireplace or wood stove must have non-combustible ash receptacle outside dwelling unit. Address numerals must be at least 4 inches tall, visible from street. Certificate of occupancy required before permit issuance.
- Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $100 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. ~15% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $325 renewal fee.