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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Houston, though state and county regulations may still apply. You will need to register with the city to pay the Hotel Occupancy Tax. Always check with the Houston planning and zoning department.

What is the TOT tax rate in Houston?

**7% TOT** is the current Hotel Occupancy Tax rate for short-term rentals in Houston. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests for stays less than 30 days. You need to register with the city to remit these taxes. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may collect this tax.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Houston?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Houston, as the city does not have specific zoning regulations prohibiting them. However, you need to comply with all applicable state and local laws, including the Hotel Occupancy Tax requirements. Check with the city for any updates to these rules.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Houston?

**Fines and penalties** can occur if you fail to comply with the Hotel Occupancy Tax requirements in Houston. You need to register with the city and remit the 7% TOT on all stays under 30 days. Operating without proper registration may result in legal action and financial penalties.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Houston?

**Yes**, renters can host on Airbnb in Houston, provided they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. You must ensure that your lease agreement allows short-term rentals and that you collect and remit the 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax. Always check with your landlord and the city before hosting.

Houston, TX Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulations

Baseline Verification

40%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

The City of Houston does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit or ordinance. However, hosts are legally required to register with the City to pay a 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax on stays of less than 30 days.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 3 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Reporting required
•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Houston, you do not need a specific short-term rental permit because the city is currently unregulated at the municipal level. However, you are still required to register for and pay the 7% local Hotel Occupancy Tax. Most importantly, you must check your neighborhood's deed restrictions or HOA rules, as these are the primary way rentals are restricted in Houston since there is no citywide zoning code.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Houston has NO zoning code; deed restrictions are the primary legal barrier to STRs.
2.You must register for the City Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) even if Airbnb collects it.
3.State Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) is a separate requirement from the City tax.
4.Rental stays of 30 consecutive days or more are exempt from Hotel Occupancy Tax.
5.The City Council has discussed STR regulations for years, but none have been passed as of early 2024.
6.Deed restrictions are privately enforced but can be legally binding in Houston.
7.Confirm your address is within Houston City Limits; many 'Houston' addresses are in Unincorporated Harris County.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(2)

•Houston: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Houston, TX: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(14)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Houston: 1. Houston has NO zoning code; deed restrictions are the primary legal barrier to STRs. 2. You must register for the City Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) even if Airbnb collects it. 3. State Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) is a separate requirement from the City tax. 4. Rental stays of 30 consecutive days or more are exempt from Hotel Occupancy Tax. 5. The City Council has discussed STR regulations for years, but none have been passed as of early 2024. 6. Deed restrictions are privately enforced but can be legally binding in Houston. 7. Confirm your address is within Houston City Limits; many 'Houston' addresses are in Unincorporated Harris County.

Application Process(7)

•Houston STR permit - Step 1: Register for Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). Complete the HOT Registration Form through the City of Houston Administration & Regulatory Affairs department. Required documents: Property address, Owner contact info, Platform registration details. Time: 1-2 weeks.
•Houston, TX: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration Form.

Taxes(4)

•Houston: You must register for the City Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) even if Airbnb collects it.
•Houston charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 0.07%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state (6%) and local (7%) taxes in Texas, but hosts must still register for local filing.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Houston: Confirm your address is within Houston City Limits; many 'Houston' addresses are in Unincorporated Harris County.
•Houston enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM (Chapter 30 Noise Ordinance).

Safety Requirements(1)

•Houston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, Properties must comply with general Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) as adopted by the City..

Penalties(1)

•Houston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by ordinance violation. Daily fine: $500 - $2,000 for building/safety violations. Maximum fine: $2,000.

Exemptions(4)

•Houston, TX: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Houston: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Houston: Rental stays of 30 consecutive days or more are exempt from Hotel Occupancy Tax.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Texas

Moderate

Dallas currently requires short-term rental registration and a 7% local Hotel Occupancy Tax. While the city passed a strict ordinance in 2023 that would have banned STRs in single-family residential zones, a June 2024 court injunction has temporarily blocked the city from enforcing those zoning restrictions and certain operational rules.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Rockport

Texas

Moderate

The City of Rockport requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual permit and undergo a safety inspection. Hosts must collect and remit a combined 10% local Hotel Occupancy Tax (8% City, 2% County) in addition to state taxes.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

El Paso

Texas

Permissive

The City of El Paso does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental permit or ordinance. However, all hosts are legally required to register and remit a 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) to the city, in addition to Texas state-level taxes.

0.1% total tax

Frisco

Texas

Moderate

The City of Frisco requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual permit and pay a $300 fee. Hosts must collect and remit a 7% city occupancy tax monthly in addition to the 6% state tax. Regulations include mandatory safety equipment, emergency contact posting, and a prohibition on renting to individuals under 21 years of age.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Houston

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(2)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(7)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(4)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Rockport

El Paso

Frisco

Houston

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Houston?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Houston?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Houston?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Houston?

Related Content

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Rockport

El Paso

Frisco