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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Texas
  6. ·
  7. Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma

Moderate
Texas · Grayson County (Lake Texoma Region)Updated Mar 9, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the Lake Texoma region are governed by a combination of Grayson County fire safety codes and specific municipal ordinances in cities like Pottsboro and Denison.

Restriction level

Severity 11
Classification
Moderate
11
Severity

Why this classification

  • Standard permit fee: $150
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

If your rental is in a city like Pottsboro or Denison, you must obtain a local permit and pay city hotel taxes. For properties in unincorporated areas of the lake, you must follow Grayson County fire safety standards and register for state and county hotel occupancy taxes. All hosts must collect and remit a 6% state tax plus local taxes, which vary by exact location.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$150
Max fine$2,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Unincorporated properties are considered 'commercial' for fire code purposes and must have 24-foot wide fire lanes for groups over 30 sites.
  2. 2Denison requires registration with Avenu Insights for all tax payments.
  3. 3HOA restrictions are common and strictly enforced by Texas courts even if the city allows STRs.
  4. 4Occupancy is generally capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a hard cap of 12 in many jurisdictions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility3 rules
  • Lake Texoma does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Lake Texoma allows STRs in the following zones: Residential, Multi-family, Commercial.
  • Lake Texoma allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, RV.
Requirements8 rules
  • Texas requires STR registration. Apply at: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/
  • Lake Texoma STR warning: HOA restrictions are common and strictly enforced by Texas courts even if the city allows STRs.
  • Lake Texoma STR warning: Occupancy is generally capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a hard cap of 12 in many jurisdictions.
Application process6 rules
  • Lake Texoma STR permit - Step 3: Register for Local Hotel Occupancy Tax. In cities like Denison or Pottsboro, you must register to pay the local 7% tax. In unincorporated Grayson County, you must register for the 2% county tax. Required documents: State Tax Permit. Time: 1 week.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Lake Texoma charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).
Taxes3 rules
  • Grayson County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.02%.
  • Texas charges a state-level Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.06%.
  • Lake Texoma charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.07%.
Limits & restrictions3 rules
  • Lake Texoma limits STRs to a maximum of 4 vehicles.
  • Grayson County limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
  • Lake Texoma limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Lake Texoma requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, parking, trash plan, noise restrictions (Quiet hours typically 10pm-7am).
Penalties1 rule
  • Lake Texoma enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: $500 fine. Subsequent violations: Permit revocation. Maximum fine: $2000.
Exemptions1 rule
  • Lake Texoma exempts the following from STR regulations: bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Stays over 30 days are exempt from HOT.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lake Texoma

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Apply for a Texas Hotel Tax Permit

Register with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to receive your state taxpayer ID for Hotel Occupancy Tax collection.

1-2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Social Security Number or FEIN
  • Business details
Official resource
Step 2

Verify Local Zoning and Jurisdiction

Determine if your property is within the city limits of Pottsboro, Denison, or in unincorporated Grayson County.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Property address
Official resource
Step 3

Register for Local Hotel Occupancy Tax

In cities like Denison or Pottsboro, you must register to pay the local 7% tax. In unincorporated Grayson County, you must register for the 2% county tax.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • State Tax Permit
Official resource
Step 4

Schedule Fire Safety Inspection

Unincorporated properties may be subject to the Grayson County Fire Code. Multi-unit STR communities must undergo specific commercial fire inspections.

2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Site plan
  • Floor plan
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 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

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