Short-Term Rental Crackdowns in Mexico (2025): What Hosts & Tenants Must Know

Permits, zoning, tax and condo rules are being enforced more tightly. Here’s a practical, host-safe roadmap that keeps you compliant—and profitable.

Mexico’s short-term rental (STR) market—Airbnb, VRBO and similar—has matured into a regulated space. Municipalities are actively enforcing permits/registrations, zoning (uso de suelo), tax collection, and safety rules. Condominium bylaws are also being used to fine owners who operate STRs against building rules. The result: more inspections, more neighbor complaints, and higher penalties for non-compliance.

At Zuckerberg Associates, we align your STR operation with local and state requirements: permits, tax/RFC setup, condo compliance, guest contracts, and—if needed—defense strategy for fines or closure orders.

Executive Takeaways

• Permits & registration: Many cities now require an STR permit/notice number and proof of zoning compatibility.
• Taxes are non-negotiable: Expect lodging taxes and income tax reporting; platforms may withhold but the owner remains responsible.
• Condo bylaws can ban or limit: Administrations are imposing fines and seeking injunctions for violations in mixed-use and residential buildings.
• Safety & capacity rules: Civil Protection (Protección Civil) standards (extinguishers, signage, capacity) increasingly apply to STRs.
• Tenants subletting: If you’re a tenant, you usually need written landlord consent to run STRs—many leases prohibit it.

How STR Rules Typically Work

1) Municipal Permits & Zoning

• Uso de suelo: Check that your address allows lodging/temporary accommodation.
• Permit/notice: Register the unit as STR where required; display your permit number in listings.
• Noise/occupancy: Local ordinances cap guests and quiet hours; repeated calls from neighbors lead to inspections and fines.

2) Taxes (SAT) & Platform Withholding

• RFC & invoicing: Hosts generally need an RFC and must issue invoices (CFDI) on request.
• Income & lodging taxes: Platforms may withhold, but owners remain responsible for monthly/annual filings and difference payments.
• Foreign hosts: Spending substantial time in Mexico or having your main economic center here can trigger tax residency—plan ahead.

3) Condominiums & HOAs

• Building rules control: Bylaws can prohibit or limit STRs, set minimum stays, and require guest registration.
• Fines & injunctions: Violations can lead to fines, suspension of common-area access, or legal action.

4) Safety & Guest Standards

• Protección Civil checklist: Fire extinguisher, emergency lighting/signage, evacuation plan, max capacity.
• Consumer protection: Clear house rules, pricing, and cancellation terms reduce PROFECO exposure.

Who’s Most at Risk Right Now

• Hosts without permits in tourist zones or historic centers.
• Owners in condos where bylaws restrict stays under 30 nights.
• Tenants subletting STRs without written landlord approval.
• Multi-unit operators with staff/services that resemble hotel activity without hotel licensing.

Compliance Checklist (Do This Before the Next Booking)

• Zoning: Obtain a zoning certificate confirming lodging is allowed at your address.
• STR Permit/Registration: File municipal notice/permit and display the number in your listings.
• RFC & Taxes: Get RFC; set monthly filings; confirm platform withholdings and lodging tax (state/municipal) obligations.
• Condo/HOA: Review bylaws; register guests as required; respect minimum-stay and quiet-hour rules.
• Protección Civil: Equip the unit (extinguisher, signage), prepare evacuation plan and capacity labels.
• Lease & Neighbors: If you rent, secure written authorization; document noise policies to prevent complaints.
• Guest Contract & House Rules: Use a bilingual addendum (deposit, damages, IDs, smoking/pet policy).
• Data & Privacy: Keep guest IDs and payment data securely; comply with Mexico privacy notice rules.

Common Pitfalls We See (and Fix)

• “Platform handles taxes” misunderstanding—owners still owe filings and differences.
• Running STRs in a banned building—leads to fines and injunctions.
• No safety setup—Protección Civil closures after neighbor complaints.
• Tenant subletting without consent—eviction risk and damage claims.

One-Page Bundle We Deliver for Hosts

1. Permit & zoning memo (address-specific checklist and timeframes).
2. Tax setup guide (RFC, invoicing, lodging tax mapping, monthly calendar).
3. Bilingual Guest Contract + House Rules (EN/ES) aligned to building rules.
4. Protección Civil pack (equipment list, signage, capacity labels, evacuation sketch).
5. If needed: defense strategy for fines/closure orders and HOA litigation.

FAQ — Short-Term Rentals in Mexico

Why Choose Zuckerberg Associates

• Bilingual, host-focused counsel: permits, taxes, condo/HOA, and defense.
• End-to-end execution: zoning verification, municipal filings, RFC/tax setup, guest contracts.
• Rapid response: if you received a fine or closure order, we stabilize first—then cure root causes.