What is the TOT tax rate in South Padre Island?

**11% TOT** is the current Hotel Occupancy Tax rate for short-term rentals in South Padre Island. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests, which includes city, venue, and state portions. Even if your booking platform collects taxes, you must still file quarterly tax reports to the city. *(53 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in South Padre Island?

**$350** is the initial fee for the required Short-Term Rental Registration in South Padre Island. This registration is required annually. You must register your property with the city's Finance Department, provide a local contact, and pass a fire safety inspection. Failure to register can result in fines. *(51 words)*

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in South Padre Island?

**Fines of $500** per day can be levied if you operate a short-term rental without the required registration in South Padre Island. You need to register your property annually with the city's Finance Department, provide a local contact, and display your permit number in your listing. Ensure compliance to avoid penalties. *(55 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in South Padre Island?

**No**, renters are not allowed to host on Airbnb in South Padre Island, according to available regulations. The city requires property owners to register their property. Ensure you have the legal right to rent out the property before listing it on short-term rental platforms to avoid fines. *(50 words)*

South Padre Island, TX STR Laws & Regulations

Summary

The City of South Padre Island requires all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) to register annually and pay a $350 initial fee. Hosts are responsible for a total 17% Hotel Occupancy Tax, which includes city, venue, and state portions.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 26 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $350
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in South Padre Island, you must first register your property with the city's Finance Department and pay a $350 permit fee. You'll need to provide a local contact person who can respond to issues 24/7 and ensure your property passes a fire safety inspection. Even if your booking platform (like Airbnb) collects taxes for you, you are still required to file quarterly tax reports to the city. Failure to register or display your permit number in your listing can result in fines of $500 per day.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$350

Processing Time

7-14 business days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The 17% total tax is split: 9% City HOT, 2% Venue Tax, and 6% State HOT.
2.A local 24/7 contact person must be able to respond to the property within 1 hour.
3.The STR permit number MUST be included in all online advertisements and listings.
4.Even if you have zero bookings in a quarter, you must file a 'Zero' tax report.
5.Occupancy is strictly limited based on the number of bedrooms (2 per bedroom + 2).
6.Large-scale 'party houses' are effectively prohibited via occupancy and noise limits.
7.Trash must be managed according to strict city sanitation schedules to avoid fines.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•South Padre Island: Glass containers are strictly prohibited on the beach; hosts should warn guests of this local ordinance.
•South Padre Island allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residence, Apartment, Residential condo unit, Other residential real estate improvement.

Requirements(15)

•South Padre Island STR warning: The total tax burden is 17%, one of the highest in Texas.
•South Padre Island STR warning: You must register for three separate tax accounts: State, City/County (Avenu), and County Venue (Localgov).
•South Padre Island has different permit classes: Single License type for all residential units under 30 days. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application Process(7)

•How to set up an STR in South Padre Island: To host an Airbnb in South Padre Island, you must first register your property with the city's Convention Centre Department and pay a $125 annual fee. You are also required to collect and remit 17% in taxes (6% state, 10.5% city, and 0.5% county). You must designate a local contact person who can respond to complaints within one hour, 24/7. Finally, make sure your registration number is clearly visible on your online listing to avoid fines up to $500 per day.

Fees & Costs(1)

•South Padre Island charges a registration fee of $125 (annual).

Taxes(4)

•South Padre Island: You must register for three separate tax accounts: State, City/County (Avenu), and County Venue (Localgov).

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•South Padre Island occupancy calculation: Ordinance 25-04 references occupancy limits based on bedroom count (usually 2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•South Padre Island limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•South Padre Island: The city uses Deckard Technologies (Rentalscape) for active enforcement and identifying unregistered listings.

Safety Requirements(1)

•South Padre Island requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Littering and glass container prohibitions, 24/7 Local contact must respond within one hour, Parking must be in designated areas only.

Penalties(2)

•South Padre Island: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 3-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

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.

South Padre Island

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Rockport

El Paso

Frisco

South Padre Island

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 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 South Padre Island?

2What is the TOT tax rate in South Padre Island?

3How much does an STR permit cost in South Padre Island?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in South Padre Island?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in South Padre Island?

Related Content

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Rockport

El Paso

Frisco