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Brenham, TX

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STR Regulations for Brenham, Texas

Executive Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Brenham, TX?

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Brenham, Washington County. Brenham does not have a city-specific permitting or zoning system for STRs as of this writing. The principal compliance obligation is the collection and remittance of local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). The City of Brenham requires a 7% HOT on stays of 30 days or fewer, payable monthly via a paperless online portal. If your STR is located outside the City of Brenham but within Washington County, the County also levies a 7% HOT—collected quarterly using the same online payment platform. State HOT does apply and is typically collected by platforms like Airbnb for most hosts, but local HOT must still be remitted by the operator regardless of platform handling.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Brenham?

Brenham hosts earn a median $24,473/year with $250 ADR and 37% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $38,421+ per year.

See the full Brenham market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Brenham

  • Confirm your property’s location: City of Brenham (monthly HOT reporting) vs. Washington County unincorporated areas (quarterly HOT reporting).
  • Obtain your State of Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax account (if you do not already have one). Platforms such as Airbnb generally collect and remit the 6% state HOT on behalf of hosts; however, you remain responsible for local 7% Brenham/Washington County HOT and for filing returns.
  • Contact the City of Brenham’s Tourism & Marketing department to receive your account number and setup instructions for the MUNIRevs/GovOS portal.
  • Set up your monthly (city) and quarterly (county) reporting routine in MUNIRevs; you will report gross occupancy income (room rate only) and remit 7% local HOT accordingly.
  • Establish internal processes to:
    • Collect local HOT from guests as a pass-through charge (separate line item).
    • File a return each due period—even if occupancy is zero.
    • Retain basic records in case of audit (the City retains audit rights).
  • Verify any deed restrictions, homeowner association (HOA), or condominium association rules that may limit STR operations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • State-level
    • Texas HOT account with the Comptroller (commonly managed automatically by major platforms; verify your status).
  • City of Brenham (inside city limits)
    • City HOT account number (provided by Brenham Tourism & Marketing after enrollment).
    • Access to the City’s MUNIRevs/GovOS portal for reporting and payment.
    • Monthly HOT return filing and payment. Taxes apply only to stays of 30 days or fewer. Fees (e.g., cleaning, pet, booking) are excluded from the HOT base.
  • Washington County (outside city limits)
    • Enrollment for the County’s MUNIRevs/GovOS portal and HOT reporting.
    • Quarterly HOT return filing and payment. If located in the County, the City of Brenham does not collect HOT; the County handles collections for areas outside City limits.
  • Other local considerations
    • Confirm compliance with any HOA/condo bylaws and residential rental regulations that may apply.

Specific Regulations: Brenham, Washington County (TX), and State

  • Brenham City HOT (inside city limits)
    • Tax rate: 7% of the room rate (guest-paid, operator-collected pass-through).
    • Tax base: Room rate only. Booking fees, cleaning fees, pet fees, and similar charges are excluded.
    • Applicability: Stays of 30 days or fewer. Stays longer than 30 days are not subject to HOT.
    • Filing frequency: Monthly.
    • Due date: Last calendar day of the month following collection (e.g., November collections due December 31).
    • Filing requirement: Must file even if no guests; report zero when applicable.
    • Enforcement: Section 24-26 of the Brenham Code of Ordinances makes failure to collect and remit HOT a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500; penalties and interest apply for late payments.
    • Reporting/payment: City uses MUNIRevs/GovOS paperless portal. Credit cards are not accepted; payments via checking or savings accounts only.
    • Platforms and local tax: Major platforms collect Texas state HOT for many hosts, but do not remit Brenham HOT. The City states it has not received any local HOT payments from short-term rental platforms and expects operators to remit directly.
  • Washington County HOT (outside city limits)
    • Tax rate: 7%.
    • Collection: Quarterly via MUNIRevs/GovOS. County handles HOT for properties outside City limits.
    • Registration/promotion: The County notes that compliant short-term rentals are registered with the Chamber of Commerce and the State of Texas to promote these properties.
  • Texas State HOT
    • Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 allows municipalities to impose HOT up to 9%.
    • State HOT rate is 6% and is generally collected by platforms for most hosts; operators remain responsible for ensuring state remittance (unless the platform notifies otherwise).

Local Authority Contacts for STR/HOT

Source Links (for verification and follow-up)

Operational Checklist (Monthly/Quarterly)

  • Confirm property jurisdiction (City vs. County).
  • Track gross occupancy income (room rate only) for each reporting period.
  • Collect 7% local HOT from guests as a pass-through (do not net it from your revenue).
  • File the appropriate return and remit local HOT by the due date:
    • City of Brenham: Monthly by the last calendar day of the month following collection.
    • Washington County: Quarterly; follow County’s instructions and portal calendar.
  • If no guests, file a return with zero occupancy.
  • Maintain records sufficient for potential audits; the City retains audit rights.

Note: Always verify current rules with the City/County contacts prior to launch or material changes in operation. If your property is subject to HOA or condo restrictions, obtain written approvals before listing.

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Brenham

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Brenham Market Analysis

Photos of Brenham

Overview of Brenham

Brenham is a small, welcoming city in Washington County, Texas, with a population of roughly 17,000 residents. Located in the gently rolling landscape between the Brazos River bottoms and the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, the city has a relaxed, small-town feel and a historic downtown lined with restored 19th-century brick storefronts. It is best known as the home of Blue Bell Creameries and as a popular overnight stop for travelers heading to Round Top and the surrounding festival and antique country. Brenham sits about 70 miles northwest of Houston and roughly 100 miles east of Austin, making it a convenient weekend escape for visitors from either metropolitan area.

One of the area's marquee historical attractions is the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, located about 15 miles southwest of Brenham along the Brazos River. This is the site where, in 1836, delegates gathered to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence, effectively creating the Republic of Texas. Visitors can tour the star-shaped Barrington Living History Farm, walk the grounds of the reconstructed Independence Hall, and picnic under the massive pecan trees that line the river.

Back in town, Blue Bell Creameries is one of Brenham's most-visited destinations. The creamery, which has operated in the city since 1907, offers a visitor center and country store where guests can sample ice cream flavors and watch through windows as production lines run. It is a quick stop in town that draws families, road-trippers, and ice cream enthusiasts year-round, and the surrounding block has grown into a small food-and-retail hub that benefits the broader downtown.

Just outside the city, the Antique Rose Emporium in nearby Independence draws gardeners from across the region. Set on several acres of display gardens, the nursery showcases antique and modern roses alongside perennials, herbs, and native plants, and includes walking paths, a courtyard teahouse, and a gift shop. The drive from Brenham is only about 10 minutes, making it an easy half-day outing for guests looking to stretch their legs in the countryside.

A bit further afield, Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway sits roughly 30 miles west of Brenham and offers fishing, swimming, boating, and miles of multi-use trails along the lake's wooded shores. The complex is split into several units, including Birch Creek and Nails Creek, each with its own campgrounds and lake access.

Brenham works well as a base for short-term rentals precisely because it sits at the intersection of Texas heritage, small-town charm, and easy access to the wider Hill Country. Visitors can spend a day tasting ice cream and strolling the historic square, then take short drives to significant historical sites, gardens, and outdoor areas without ever needing to fight big-city traffic. The combination of walkable downtown amenities, regionally recognized cultural stops, and a steady stream of festival-goers traveling through to the Round Top area gives the city a year-round rhythm of visitors, supporting a strong short-term rental market in every season.

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