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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Travis County, though state and county regulations may still apply. You need to comply with Texas state laws and Travis County tax requirements. Always check with your HOA, as they may have stricter rules.

What is the TOT tax rate in Travis County?

**A 7% County** Hotel Occupancy Tax applies to short-term rentals in unincorporated Travis County, in addition to the 6% State tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the County Tax Office and the State Comptroller. Ensure you register and file taxes correctly.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Travis County?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in unincorporated Travis County, as the county lacks the authority to license STRs. However, this does not override any restrictions imposed by homeowners associations (HOAs) or other private agreements. Compliance with state and county tax requirements is mandatory for all hosts.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Travis County?

**Yes**, tenants in Travis County can host on Airbnb, provided their lease agreement does not prohibit it. While Travis County does not regulate STRs, tenants must still comply with state and county tax requirements. Landlords may also impose restrictions, so review your lease carefully before listing.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Travis County?

**No**, there is no primary residency requirement to rent your property on Airbnb in unincorporated Travis County. Since the county does not regulate STRs, you are free to rent your property regardless of your residency status. However, compliance with state and county tax laws is still required for all hosts.

Travis County, TX Short-Term Rental...

Baseline Verification

80%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Travis County are currently unregulated regarding land use or operational permits, as Texas counties lack the statutory authority to license STRs. However, hosts must comply with state and county tax requirements, including a 7% County Hotel Occupancy Tax and a 6% State tax.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Travis County, you do not need a special zoning permit or STR license. You are free to rent your property without a 'cap' on nights or residency requirements. Your primary responsibility is tax compliance: you must register with the County Tax Office and the State Comptroller to pay Hotel Occupancy Taxes, which total 13%. Always check with your HOA, as they are legally allowed to ban STRs even if the county does not.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

Immediate (Registration)

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify you are NOT in Austin City Limits; Austin has very strict, different rules and required permits.
2.HOAs in unincorporated areas have the legal power to prohibit STRs via their CC&Rs.
3.The 7% County tax is SEPARATE from the 6% State tax; verify if your platform collects both.
4.Texas counties cannot regulate STRs like cities do, so there is no official 'permit number' to display.
5.Stays of 30 days or longer are exempt from Hotel Occupancy Taxes.
6.Failure to file quarterly tax reports can result in a 15% penalty plus interest.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Travis County: Texas counties cannot regulate STRs like cities do, so there is no official 'permit number' to display.
•Travis County allows tenants to host STRs.
•Travis County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Condos, Apartments, Cabins, ADUs.
•Travis County does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements(9)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Travis County: 1. Verify you are NOT in Austin City Limits; Austin has very strict, different rules and required permits. 2. HOAs in unincorporated areas have the legal power to prohibit STRs via their CC&Rs. 3. The 7% County tax is SEPARATE from the 6% State tax; verify if your platform collects both. 4. Texas counties cannot regulate STRs like cities do, so there is no official 'permit number' to display. 5. Stays of 30 days or longer are exempt from Hotel Occupancy Taxes. 6. Failure to file quarterly tax reports can result in a 15% penalty plus interest.

Application Process(5)

•Travis County STR permit - Step 1: Obtain State Sales Tax Permit. Register with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to receive a Sales Tax Permit, which is required for hotel occupancy reporting. Time: 1-2 weeks.

Taxes(3)

•Travis County: The 7% County tax is SEPARATE from the 6% State tax; verify if your platform collects both.
•TX has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
•Travis County charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 0.07%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & Restrictions(1)

•Travis County: Verify you are NOT in Austin City Limits; Austin has very strict, different rules and required permits.

Penalties(2)

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

Exemptions(3)

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

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.

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

Travis County

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(9)

Application Process(5)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

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

Travis 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 Travis County?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Travis County?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Travis County?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Travis County?

5Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Travis County?

Related Content

Other Texas Markets

Dallas

Rockport

El Paso

Frisco