Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Kendall County, TX?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Kendall County, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with Texas state laws and remit all required taxes. Always check with the Kendall County zoning office before operating a short-term rental. *(54 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Kendall County, TX?

**7% TOT** is the current Hotel Occupancy Tax rate for short-term rentals in unincorporated Kendall County. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the County Auditor's office on a quarterly basis. You must also collect a 6% state tax. *(51 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Kendall County, TX?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in unincorporated Kendall County, but this is subject to HOA or deed restrictions. Hosts must register with the County Auditor to collect and remit the 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) in addition to the 6% State HOT, but no other permits are required. *(57 words)*

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Kendall County, TX?

**Penalties** vary, but failing to collect and remit the required Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) could result in fines and legal action. While the county doesn't require a specific permit, compliance with state tax laws is mandatory. Always check with the HOA and county. *(51 words)*

Kendall County, TX Short-Term Rental Rules

Baseline Verification

40%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

1 Official Source

Summary

Unincorporated Kendall County does not currently have a land-use permit or registration requirement specifically for short-term rentals. However, all hosts must register with the County Auditor to collect and remit the 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) in addition to the 6% State HOT.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Kendall County, you do not need a special permit or license from the county government. However, you are legally required to collect a 7% local tax from your guests and send it to the County Auditor every three months. You must also collect a 6% state tax and pay that to the Texas Comptroller. Always check your property's deed restrictions or HOA rules, as these are often stricter than the county's rules.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify your property is in an unincorporated area; if you are within Boerne city limits, you must follow Boerne's specific STR permit rules.
2.The 7% County Hotel Occupancy Tax is mandatory for all stays under 30 days.
3.Airbnb/VRBO may not automatically collect the 7% LOCAL county tax in Texas; hosts are responsible for checking this and remitting it manually if not collected.
4.Texas state law provides counties limited authority to regulate STRs beyond tax collection compared to cities.
5.HOA and deed restrictions in Hill Country subdivisions often explicitly prohibit short-term rentals, and the county does not override these private contracts.
6.Failure to file quarterly tax reports can result in a 15% penalty plus interest.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

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

Requirements(8)

•Kendall County STR warning: Verify your property is in an unincorporated area; if you are within Boerne city limits, you must follow Boerne's specific STR permit rules.
•Kendall County STR warning: Failure to file quarterly tax reports can result in a 15% penalty plus interest.

Application Process(5)

•Kendall County STR permit - Step 1: Establish HOT Account. Contact the Kendall County Auditor's office to register for a Hotel Occupancy Tax account for your property.

Taxes(4)

•TX has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
•Kendall County: The 7% County Hotel Occupancy Tax is mandatory for all stays under 30 days.
•Kendall County charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 0.07%.
•Kendall County: Airbnb/VRBO may not automatically collect the 7% LOCAL county tax in Texas; hosts are responsible for checking this and remitting it manually if not collected.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Kendall County: Texas state law provides counties limited authority to regulate STRs beyond tax collection compared to cities.
•Kendall County: Verify your property is in an unincorporated area; if you are within Boerne city limits, you must follow Boerne's specific STR permit rules.

Penalties(2)

•Kendall County enforces penalties: First offense: Interest and penalties for late tax filing. Maximum fine: 15% penalty for late tax payments.
•Kendall County: Failure to file quarterly tax reports can result in a 15% penalty plus interest.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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

Kendall County

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

Requirements(8)

Application Process(5)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Kendall County

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Kendall County, TX?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kendall County, TX?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Kendall County, TX?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Kendall County, TX?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Kendall County, TX?

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