Regulations >
Texas >
Abilene

Want to see how Abilene compares to other top cities in Texas?  Explore all city regulations in Texas. →

A

Abilene, TX

Very Investor Friendly

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Abilene STR Expert
Abilene, Texas skyline

STR Regulations for Abilene, Texas

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Abilene, TX?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Abilene, Texas. However, it is important to note that Abilene does not currently have specific laws regulating short-term rentals. As a result, investors and operators must comply with standard housing and rental regulations, along with applicable tax requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Abilene?

Abilene hosts earn a median $38,925/year with $163 ADR and 92% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $54,127+ per year.

See the full Abilene market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Abilene

Market Assessment and Planning

  1. Market Research: Abilene presents a vibrant opportunity for STR investors, with the market characterized by a blend of southern charm and modern amenities. The city's rich history, cultural attractions, and academic institutions create a steady demand from diverse visitor types including history buffs, business travelers, families, and university-related guests.

  2. Seasonal Considerations: Peak demand typically occurs from late August through November, coinciding with the academic year at local universities. May also sees increased activity due to graduation ceremonies. The summer months, particularly June and July, tend to be slower due to Texas heat.

  3. Property Selection: Properties near universities, cultural attractions (Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas!, Dyess Air Force Base), and downtown areas tend to perform well.

Business Setup

  1. Property Preparation: Ensure properties meet standard housing safety and cleanliness requirements
  2. Compliance Check: Verify compliance with existing zoning regulations and any homeowner association rules
  3. Insurance: Secure appropriate liability and property insurance coverage
  4. Property Management: Consider professional management services for optimal guest experiences and revenue optimization

Tax Registration and Compliance

  1. Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax: Register for and begin collecting the 6% state hotel occupancy tax
  2. Local Taxes: Abilene City Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) and County Venue Tax (2%) apply, for a total tax rate of 15%

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements

Based on the available information, Abilene does not currently require specific permits or licenses for short-term rentals. However, operators must ensure compliance with:

  1. Standard Housing Regulations: Maintain properties to standard safety and cleanliness requirements
  2. Tax Registration:
    • Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax registration (6%)
    • Local hotel occupancy tax collection (City 7%, County 2%)
  3. Zoning Compliance: Ensure property use complies with local zoning regulations
  4. Noise and Nuisance Ordinances: Adhere to local noise and disturbance regulations

Exemptions and Special Considerations

Texas law exempts certain individuals from local hotel occupancy taxes when traveling on official business:

  • Federal employees
  • Foreign diplomats with tax exemption cards
  • State officials with hotel tax exemption cards
  • Persons staying more than 30 consecutive days

All exemptions require appropriate identification and completion of a Hotel Occupancy Tax Exemption Certificate.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City Level (Abilene)

  • No Specific STR Ordinances: Abilene has not enacted specific short-term rental regulations
  • Zoning Compliance: STRs must comply with existing zoning district requirements
  • Hotel Occupancy Taxes:
    • City tax rate: 7%
    • Total combined rate: 15% (6% state + 7% city + 2% county venue)

County Level (Taylor County)

  • County Venue Tax: 2% in addition to state and city taxes
  • Standard County Regulations: General county health and safety requirements

State Level (Texas)

  • State Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% rate applies to all short-term rentals
  • Home Rule Cities: Texas cities have authority to regulate STRs if they choose to do so
  • General Property Rights: State law protects property rights while allowing local regulation
  • Tax Collection Requirements: Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable hotel occupancy taxes

Important Considerations

  • HOA/Property Management Rules: Individual homeowners' associations or apartment complexes may have their own restrictions on short-term rentals
  • Future Regulation Changes: Cities across Texas are actively considering STR regulations; Abilene may develop specific rules in the future

Contact Information

Local Authority

Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Address: 1101 North 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79601
  • Phone: (325) 676-2556
  • Fax: (325) 676-1630
  • Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Friday
  • Website: www.abilenevisitors.com/

State Resources

Texas Comptroller - Hotel Occupancy Tax

Industry Associations

Texas Hotel & Lodging Association

  • Phone: (512) 474-2996
  • Fax: (512) 480-0773
  • Email: thla@texaslodging.com
  • Address: 1701 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
  • Toll-free: 1-800-856-4328

Links to Source Pages

  1. Abilene Accommodations Guidelines: www.abilenevisitors.com/blog/accomodations-guidelines/
  2. Abilene Vacation Rental Management Overview: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/abilene-texas
  3. Texas STR Regulatory Context: texaslodging.com/short-term-rental-str-update-2018/
  4. Abilene Zoning Districts: abilenetx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3749/Zoning-Districts-PDF

Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information as of the sources provided. Regulations and requirements may change. Investors should verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with STR operations in Abilene, Texas.

Next step

Found a property in Abilene?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Abilene

Free brief

Get the free Abilene STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Abilene, Texas in one email.

Abilene

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
1/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
View Full Abilene Market Analysis

Photos of Abilene

Overview of Abilene

Abilene is a mid-sized city in west-central Texas, serving as the seat of Taylor County and acting as the unofficial capital of the Big Country region. With an approximate population of around 125,000 residents, the city carries a distinctly West Texas character: wide skies, a strong military and ranching heritage, and a pace that is notably more relaxed than the state's larger metro areas. Home to three private universities—Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University—Abilene also functions as a regional college town and is anchored in part by the presence of Dyess Air Force Base on the city's southwestern edge. The city sits roughly 180 miles west of Fort Worth, making it a natural overnight stop for travelers moving between the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and the broader landscapes of West Texas and the Permian Basin.

For visitors drawn to Old West history, Frontier Texas! is a downtown museum that tells the story of the Texas frontier through life-sized holograms, interactive exhibits, and period artifacts. Visitors can step into the world of Comanche horsemen, cattle drives, and pioneer settlers that shaped the region in the 19th century. Located within easy walking distance of the historic downtown hotels and Storybook Sculptures, the museum serves as a natural anchor for first-time visitors to the city.

Just south of the city, Abilene State Park covers roughly 530 acres of rolling oak-juniper landscape and centers on a small lake. The park offers several miles of hiking trails, a swimming area, fishing, and tent and RV camping, providing a quiet, tree-shaded contrast to the surrounding plains. Built largely by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the park's stone structures and rustic layout give it a distinctive period charm, and it lies within a roughly 15-minute drive of central Abilene.

A short drive southwest of Abilene, the Buffalo Gap Historic Village preserves and re-creates a late-1800s frontier town. Visitors can walk through relocated and restored buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, a saloon, a blacksmith shop, and the original Taylor County courthouse, learning about life on the southern plains during the open-range era. Set amid the surrounding ranchland and the wind farms that have come to define the regional skyline, the village offers a tangible sense of how heritage and modern industry coexist across the Big Country.

Abilene's appeal as a base for short-term rentals lies in this blend of regional heritage, education, and outdoor recreation. Travelers come for a mix of university events, Dyess Air Force Base graduations and family visits, road-trip stopovers between the Metroplex and West Texas, and access to the state park and historic villages. With its manageable size, walkable downtown, and variety of indoor and outdoor draws within a short drive, Abilene offers consistent and varied demand for hosts catering to visiting families, road-trippers, and outdoor recreationists alike.

Want to know if a property in Abilene is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.