Rental Rules by City / New Mexico / Taos
Taos short-term rental rules & tax calculator
📋 The Basics
- Can I rent my place short-term here?
- Only in some areas
- Do I need a permit?
- Not in historic/CBD; allowed elsewhere with permit.
- What taxes do I pay?
- Total about 5%. Check your Airbnb payout report to see which ones Airbnb collects; you pay the rest yourself.
Your 3 steps to be legal
- Check your zone.
- Apply for the permit.
- File lodger's tax.
⚠️ Biggest risk: Renting in the Historic District.
Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.
Tax calculator
Rates used: Taos lodger's tax 5% = 5%. Mandatory cleaning fees are included in the taxable total. 5% lodger's tax; NM gross receipts tax also due: verify rate.
What Airbnb collects: Verify in payouts which taxes your platform remits.
Advanced details (laws, fees, sources)
Rules
| Permit | Annual STR permit per unit: $350 application/fire inspection + $525 permit. |
|---|---|
| Where | Not allowed in the Historic Districts, Historic/Hotel Overlay, the CBD, or attached units (except renewals of earlier permits). Allowed in listed RA, R and C-1/C-2 districts, some as a conditional use. |
| Safety | Rental packet, local contact, smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher. |
Items marked "Verify with the city" could not be confirmed from an official source; call the office listed before relying on them.
Sources
Free tools
Free "Is my rental legal?" checklist · Free tourist tax calculator
Rules can change
Taos's rules, its tax rates and platform policies can change through a council vote, a new state law or a court ruling, often with little notice to hosts. We re-check this page monthly; subscribers get notified. Stay Compliant for $4.99/mo.
Want it done for you?
Get a personalized STR Compliance Check ($49) for your exact address in any US city: the permits, registrations and tax accounts you need, with official sources, delivered by email in 48 business hours. Not legal advice.
By paying, you agree to our Terms and Refund PolicyHow we verify.
Stay Compliant: $4.99/month
Rules, tax rates and Airbnb/Vrbo policies can change without warning, and hosts who miss a change can be fined. Get alerts when your city, county or state changes, deadline reminders, a pending-bill watch list and a monthly host brief (even in quiet months: "we checked on [date]; no changes"). Compare plans.
By paying, you agree to our Terms and Refund Policy.
Not legal or tax advice. Last verified Oct 24, 2026. Rules and rates change: confirm with the official sources linked before you rent or file.