Step 1
Verify Zoning and Category
Determine your STR category (Type I, II, III, or B&B) and check the City of Waco Interactive Zoning Map to see if the use is permitted by right or requires a Special Permit.
1 dayFree
Documents needed
- Zoning map
Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
Short-term rentals in Waco are subject to a strict licensing and zoning regime, including a permanent prohibition on non-owner-occupied (Type II) rentals in many residential districts.
To host an STR in Waco, you must obtain a city license and, depending on your property's location, a Special Permit which can take 60-90 days for approval. Non-owner-occupied rentals are largely restricted to commercial zones and are prohibited in most single-family residential areas. All hosts must pass a life safety inspection and collect a combined 15% in occupancy taxes.
Step-by-step guide for Waco
Determine your STR category (Type I, II, III, or B&B) and check the City of Waco Interactive Zoning Map to see if the use is permitted by right or requires a Special Permit.
If required by zoning, apply for a Short-Term Rental Special Permit through the Planning Department. This involves a public hearing and City Council approval.
Complete the online application via the Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal. Include site plans, parking dimensions, and proof of ownership.
Schedule a safety inspection with Development Services to verify smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers are in place.
Register with Avenu Insights & Analytics to remit city and county taxes, and with the Texas Comptroller for state taxes.
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 Details may be outdated or incomplete.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