Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Santa Fe County, NM

Airbnb listings are allowed in Santa Fe County, NM, but with restrictions. STRs are permitted in Santa Fe County only where residential uses are permitted; ordinance distinguishes Owner-Occupied (primary residence/ADU) and Non-Owner Occupied STRs and requires units to be legal dwellings on a legal lot of record. Non-Owner Occupied STRs are limited by area (3% or 7% caps in specified CDPs), occupancy is limited to two people per approved bedroom up to a maximum of 10 people, and applicants must provide site plans, floor plans, parking designation, a 24-hour contact, and neighbor notice requirements. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are permitted in Santa Fe County only where residential uses are permitted; ordinance distinguishes Owner-Occupied (primary residence/ADU) and Non-Owner Occupied STRs and requires units to be legal dwellings on a legal lot of record. Non-Owner Occupied STRs are limited by area (3% or 7% caps in specified CDPs), occupancy is limited to two people per approved bedroom up to a maximum of 10 people, and applicants must provide site plans, floor plans, parking designation, a 24-hour contact, and neighbor notice requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Santa Fe County. 1) Submit the appropriate application packet (Owner-Occupied Registration or Non-Owner Occupied Business License) to Santa Fe County Growth Management via appointment, email (STR@santafecountynm.gov) or in-person; include required documents (site plan, floor plan, proof of primary residence for owner-occupied, fire self-certification, CRS number, water meter reading if required). 2) Pay stated fees (Non-Owner initial Business License $375; Non-Owner renewal $300; Owner-Occupied business registration $35 annually) and complete neighbor notification/affidavit and post the Business Notice to Renters. 3) Receive license/registration; renew annually as specified.

1) Submit the appropriate application packet (Owner-Occupied Registration or Non-Owner Occupied Business License) to Santa Fe County Growth Management via appointment, email (STR@santafecountynm.gov) or in-person; include required documents (site plan, floor plan, proof of primary residence for owner-occupied, fire self-certification, CRS number, water meter reading if required). 2) Pay stated fees (Non-Owner initial Business License $375; Non-Owner renewal $300; Owner-Occupied business registration $35 annually) and complete neighbor notification/affidavit and post the Business Notice to Renters. 3) Receive license/registration; renew annually as specified.

Vrbo is permitted in Santa Fe County, NM under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Santa Fe County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Santa Fe County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.