El Paso, Texas
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El Paso, TX
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Local STR Agent
Local STR Agent
STR Regulations for El Paso, Texas
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in El Paso, TX?
Yes, short-term rentals are currently allowed in El Paso, Texas. However, the regulatory landscape is evolving. As of the most recent information available, El Paso does not have a city-specific ordinance regulating short-term rentals. STRs are grouped under bed-and-breakfast lodging in the current city code, but the city is actively working on developing dedicated STR regulations.
The absence of specific local regulations means that STR operators must comply with existing state laws, general nuisance ordinances, and various city codes that apply to all properties and residents.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in El Paso?
El Paso hosts earn a median $19,448/year with $95 ADR and 72% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $28,501+ per year.
See the full El Paso market breakdownHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in El Paso
Current Process (As of 2025)
- Property Compliance: Ensure your property meets all applicable zoning requirements and building codes
- HOA Review: Check your homeowners association's CC&Rs, as they may impose stricter limitations than city regulations
- Tax Registration: Register with the Texas Comptroller to collect and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Insurance: Obtain appropriate liability insurance for short-term rental operations
- Platform Registration: List your property on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo (they will handle tax collection for their bookings)
Future Requirements (Under Development)
The city is currently developing a comprehensive STR ordinance that will likely include:
- Property classification system (Type 1: single-family/two-family, Type 2: multifamily)
- Primary residence vs. non-primary residence distinctions
- Application and registration requirements
- Fee structure (preliminary proposal suggests single fee renewable every three years)
- Density limitations and spacing requirements
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
Currently Required
- Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration: Required for all STR operators
- Business License: If operating as a business entity (recommended)
- General Liability Insurance: Strongly recommended
Under Consideration (Not Yet Implemented)
- STR Registration Permit: Proposed single fee renewable every three years
- Fire Safety Requirements: Life safety compliance verification
- Site Plan Approval: For properties meeting certain criteria
- Guest Notification Documentation: Required indoor signage and information
Always Required Compliance Documents
- Floor plans and occupancy information
- Emergency contact information for guests
- Evacuation routes and safety information
- Local contact information for neighbors
Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
State-Level Regulations (Texas)
- Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% state tax on all STR bookings
- Definition: STRs are defined as residential properties rented for 30 consecutive days or less
- Tax Collection: Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit taxes for platform bookings; direct bookings require self-reporting by the 20th of the month following the rental
City of El Paso Regulations
Currently, no specific STR ordinances exist, but the following general ordinances apply:
Noise Ordinance
- Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM daily
- Violations: Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500
- Best Practices: Use noise monitoring devices, inform guests of rules, avoid parties
Residential Parking Ordinance
- Parking limitations vary by district throughout the city
- Citations issued for violations
- Best Practices: Monitor guest parking, provide clear instructions
Residential Waste Ordinance
- Waste and recycling must be stored in assigned bins
- Items must be brought to/from curb on pickup days
- Citations issued for violations
El Paso County (Unincorporated Areas)
Properties outside El Paso city limits fall under El Paso County regulations, which currently mirror the city's approach with no specific STR ordinances for principal structures.
Contact Information for Local Authority
Texas Comptroller (Hotel Occupancy Tax)
- Website: comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/
- Phone: Not specified in provided content
- Email: Not specified in provided content
El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance
- Website: elpasostra.org
- Contact Form: Available on website
- Facebook Group: "El Paso Airbnb Hosts" (for community support)
City of El Paso Planning Department
- Website: elpasotexas.gov (Planning and Inspections section)
- Phone: Not specified in provided content
- Email: Not specified in provided content
Emergency Contacts for Violations
- El Paso Police Department: For noise violations and disturbances
- Code Enforcement: For property standards violations
Links to Source Pages
- El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance - STR Requirements: www.elpasostra.org/str-requirements/
- KFOX14 News Article - El Paso Considers STR Ordinance: kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-considers-new-ordinance-for-short-term-rentals
- City of El Paso STR Presentation (PDF): www.elpasotexas.gov/assets/Documents/CoEP/Planning-and-Inspections/Business-Licensing/short-term-rentals-presentation.pdf
- CBS4 News Article - STR Ordinance: cbs4local.com/newsletter-daily/el-paso-considers-new- ordinance-for-short-term-rentals
Important Notes for Investors
- Regulatory Landscape: The current lack of specific regulations may change rapidly. Monitor city council proceedings for updates.
- HOA Considerations: Homeowners associations may impose stricter rules or even ban STRs, regardless of city allowances.
- Tax Compliance: Ensure proper registration and collection of Hotel Occupancy Tax to avoid penalties.
- Neighbor Relations: The absence of specific STR regulations makes good neighbor practices crucial for long-term operation.
- Platform Policies: Stay informed about Airbnb and Vrbo's community policies and reporting mechanisms.
Future Outlook
El Paso is actively working on comprehensive STR regulations. The city has conducted stakeholder meetings and community feedback sessions. Based on the presentation materials, the new ordinance is expected to include registration requirements, fee structures, and operational guidelines while balancing STR operations with neighborhood protection. Investors should stay engaged with the El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance and monitor city communications for updates on implementation timelines and requirements.
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El Paso
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Photos of El Paso
Overview of El Paso
El Paso sits in El Paso County at the far western tip of Texas, hugging the Rio Grande where the river bends along the U.S.–Mexico border. With a population of approximately 680,000, it is the sixth-largest city in Texas and one of the largest bilingual communities in the country, where English and Spanish trade places on storefronts, restaurant menus, and street signs. The city rises against the dramatic backdrop of the Franklin Mountains, which thrust up sharply from the desert floor, and it functions as a natural gateway between the United States and Mexico, with sister city Ciudad Juárez just across the river. The nearest major U.S. city is Albuquerque, New Mexico, roughly 270 miles to the north.
The Franklin Mountains State Park cuts through the heart of El Paso and is one of the largest urban state parks in the country. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, and rock climb on trails that frame sweeping views of the city below and across the border into Juárez. Most trailheads are accessible within about a 20-minute drive from downtown, making it easy to pair a morning in the mountains with an afternoon in the city's arts district. Franklin Mountains State Park
About 30 miles east of the city, Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is known worldwide for its bouldering, its thousands of ancient pictographs, and the historic adobe buildings that once served as a stagecoach stop. The park sits in a striking basin of weathered rock formations and draws climbers, photographers, and travelers interested in the early human history of the region. Because access is limited to protect the fragile rock art, visitors generally need to make a reservation or join a guided tour. Hueco Tanks State Park
A longer but very doable day trip leads east to the Guadalupe Mountains, home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest natural point in Texas at 8,749 feet. The park preserves a rugged slice of the Permian Basin, with miles of trails through pine forest, the famously lush McKittrick Canyon, and the historic El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak wilderness routes. The drive from El Paso to the park's Pine Springs visitor area is approximately 110 miles and takes about two hours. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Downtown El Paso is anchored by the restored Plaza Theatre, a 1930s-era performing arts venue that hosts concerts, Broadway tours, and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. The surrounding district has grown into a walkable mix of restaurants, lofts, and the El Paso Museum of Art, which holds a notable collection of Southwestern and Mexican colonial works. A short ride on the city's heritage trolley connects downtown to the University of Texas at El Paso campus, where the original buildings, designed in a distinctive Bhutanese style, are themselves worth a visit.
El Paso makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because of its unusual combination of accessibility, scenery, and culture. Visitors can spend a morning in the arts district, an afternoon hiking in the Franklin Mountains, and an evening sampling the city's renowned Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, all without leaving the city limits. Within a few hours' drive, guests can reach the high country of the Guadalupe Mountains, the desert landscapes of southern New Mexico, and the markets and restaurants of Juárez just across the river, giving the destination a year-round appeal that supports both quick weekend getaways and longer desert-and-mountain vacations.
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