Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Galveston?

**Yes**, Galveston requires a Short-Term Rental Registration for all rentals. You need to register your property annually with the city and pay a $250 fee. Make sure to complete the registration process before listing your property on any platform to avoid penalties.

What is the TOT tax rate in Galveston, TX?

**9%** is the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) rate for short-term rentals in Galveston, in addition to the 6% state tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for specific filing deadlines and procedures.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Galveston, TX?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Galveston, but you must register your property with the city. Ensure you comply with all local regulations, including safety standards and occupancy limits. Failure to comply with Galveston's short-term rental rules may result in fines and penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Galveston?

**$250** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Registration in Galveston. You must renew your registration each year and pay the required fee to maintain compliance. Ensure you submit your application and payment before operating your short-term rental to avoid potential fines.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Galveston?

**Penalties** may be levied for operating an illegal short-term rental in Galveston. You must register your property and collect/remit the required taxes. Operating without proper registration and tax compliance can result in fines, legal action, and the potential revocation of your ability to rent.

Galveston

Moderate

TexasUpdated Apr 15, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Galveston requires all short-term rentals to register annually and pay a $250 fee. Hosts must collect and remit a 9% local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) in addition to the 6% state tax.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Galveston, you must first register your property with the city and pay an annual $250 fee. While platforms like Airbnb may collect the 6% Texas state tax, you are personally responsible for remitting the 9% City Hotel Occupancy Tax every quarter. You also need to post your permit number in your listing and provide guests with a 24/7 local contact for issues.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time1-2 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Most platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) DO NOT remit the 9% local city tax; hosts must pay this manually to the City of Galveston.
2The registration fee is $250 annually, and failure to renew on time results in a 10% late fee.
3Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.
4A local contact must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
5Your STR registration number must be prominently displayed on all online advertisements and listings.
6Properties in 'Unincorporated Galveston County' (like Bolivar Peninsula) follow different rules; verify your location via city limit maps.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Galveston does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Galveston: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Galveston allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Condo, Townhome, Apartment.
Galveston: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements17 rules

Galveston STR warning: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.
Galveston: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Galveston STR warning: Properties in 'Unincorporated Galveston County' (like Bolivar Peninsula) follow different rules; verify your location via city limit maps.

Application process10 rules

Galveston: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan, Site plan (parking locations), Proof of insurance, Hot Tax Account Number.
Galveston, TX extended permit requirement: A 10% late fee applies to registrations not renewed on time.
Galveston, TX: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan, Site plan (parking locations), Proof of insurance, Hot Tax Account Number.

Fees & costs2 rules

Galveston charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Galveston: The registration fee is $250 annually, and failure to renew on time results in a 10% late fee.

Taxes3 rules

Galveston charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO remit state tax (6%) but typically NOT the city's 9% tax; hosts must remit city tax directly.
Galveston: Most platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) DO NOT remit the 9% local city tax; hosts must pay this manually to the City of Galveston.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Galveston enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Galveston, TX occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Galveston: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.

Safety requirements1 rule

Galveston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Evacuation plan posted, Property must have a local 24/7 contact person.

Penalties3 rules

Galveston, TX: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Galveston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: Up to $2,000. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: $2,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Galveston: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Galveston exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Galveston, TX: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Galveston

Moderate

TexasUpdated Apr 15, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Galveston requires all short-term rentals to register annually and pay a $250 fee. Hosts must collect and remit a 9% local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) in addition to the 6% state tax.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time1-2 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Most platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) DO NOT remit the 9% local city tax; hosts must pay this manually to the City of Galveston.
2The registration fee is $250 annually, and failure to renew on time results in a 10% late fee.
3Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.
4A local contact must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
5Your STR registration number must be prominently displayed on all online advertisements and listings.
6Properties in 'Unincorporated Galveston County' (like Bolivar Peninsula) follow different rules; verify your location via city limit maps.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Galveston does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Galveston: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Galveston allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Condo, Townhome, Apartment.
Galveston: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements17 rules

Galveston STR warning: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.
Galveston: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Galveston STR warning: Properties in 'Unincorporated Galveston County' (like Bolivar Peninsula) follow different rules; verify your location via city limit maps.

Application process10 rules

Galveston: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan, Site plan (parking locations), Proof of insurance, Hot Tax Account Number.
Galveston, TX extended permit requirement: A 10% late fee applies to registrations not renewed on time.
Galveston, TX: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan, Site plan (parking locations), Proof of insurance, Hot Tax Account Number.

Fees & costs2 rules

Galveston charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Galveston: The registration fee is $250 annually, and failure to renew on time results in a 10% late fee.

Taxes3 rules

Galveston charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO remit state tax (6%) but typically NOT the city's 9% tax; hosts must remit city tax directly.
Galveston: Most platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) DO NOT remit the 9% local city tax; hosts must pay this manually to the City of Galveston.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Galveston enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Galveston, TX occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Galveston: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults.

Safety requirements1 rule

Galveston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Evacuation plan posted, Property must have a local 24/7 contact person.

Penalties3 rules

Galveston, TX: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Galveston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: Up to $2,000. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: $2,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Galveston: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Galveston exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Galveston, TX: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Galveston?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Galveston, TX?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Galveston, TX?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Galveston?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Galveston?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Galveston?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Galveston, TX?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Galveston, TX?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Galveston?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Galveston?

Disclaimer