After reviewing the latest ordinances, reports, and city guidelines, here’s a summary of my findings as of 11/18/2024:Key FindingsPermit Types and Fees:Type 1 (Owner-Occupied): $300 for 3 years.Type 2 (Non-Owner-Occupied): $450 for 3 years.Density caps apply to Type 2 permits (12.5% of block face).Enforcement:3 violations in 3 years lead to permit revocation.Fines up to $500/day for violations.Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT):City: 9%, County: 1.75%, State: 6%.Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO will remit directly to the city starting Feb 2025.Platform Obligations:STRs must have valid permits; unpermitted properties will be removed by platforms like Airbnb.Special Exceptions for Density Limits:Require approval by the Board of Adjustment (BOA).Zip Code BreakdownI focused on these 11 zip codes:Under San Antonio Rules:78205, 78204, 78215, 78210, 78212, 78245, 78258Independent Municipalities (Separate Rules):Alamo Heights (78209)Leon Valley (78238)Helotes (78023)Next Steps:Research density caps and zoning in specific zip codes.Dive into independent municipality rules for Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, and Helotes.Evaluate market maturity and income potential using tools like AirDNA.If anyone has experience operating STRs in San Antonio or these specific zip codes, I’d love to hear your insights, especially about density limits, enforcement trends, or community sentiment.Thanks in advance!

@Erich HatchFirst, I look at permit history.

Can you take it to the city to get it permitted?

Costs like engineering and permitting can become disproportionately high for mid-size projects.Height and Density: Focus on areas where zoning allows for verticality and density.

There are no restrictions on foreign property ownership in Portugal and transaction costs are generally low.Portugal will grant a 5-year residency permit to non-EU citizens through Real estate investment (the program is called Golden Visas, look it up).

That's a spreadsheet that doesn't transfer to a real life leasing scenario because its not permitted within the zoning code.If the property is zoned RM1, then  perhaps you can lease to 8 unrelated individuals by converting the building into multiple units.

As far as permits and renovations and ADU additions?

All you're doing is finishing space and you should be able to go through normal permitting processes to get that done.  

Perhaps they would make more money if STR was an option, however if that's not permitted in their location, no STR demand exists, or no STR PM is willing to take on their property, they may not have that option.

Part of how the municipalities get you is pulling permits.