Gainesville, Texas
Want to see how Gainesville compares to other top cities in Texas? Explore all city regulations in Texas. →
Gainesville, TX
Challenging To Investors
Local STR Agent
Local STR Agent
STR Regulations for Gainesville, Texas
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Gainesville, TX?
Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Gainesville, TX, but with important conditions. STRs are not permitted as-of-right in any zoning district and require a Special Use Permit (SUP) approved by the City Council. This permit requirement applies regardless of whether the STR will be owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied. The city has demonstrated active approval of STR applications through multiple recent Special Use Permits (Ordinances 1597, 1596, and 1578).
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Gainesville?
Gainesville hosts earn a median $24,994/year with $228 ADR and 37% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $40,530+ per year.
See the full Gainesville market breakdownHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Gainesville, TX
Starting an STR in Gainesville follows a structured process that begins with the Special Use Permit application and continues through to Certificate of Occupancy:
- Initial Consultation: Contact the Community Development Department to discuss your specific property and STR plans
- Special Use Permit Application: Submit complete application with required documentation
- Public Hearing Process: Attend two mandatory public hearings (Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council)
- Permit Approval: Obtain City Council approval for the Special Use Permit
- Certificate of Occupancy: Secure Certificate of Occupancy after SUP approval to legally operate
- Ongoing Compliance: Maintain compliance with all permit conditions and city regulations
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
Special Use Permit (SUP) Application Requirements
Required Documentation:
- Completed Special Use Permit application
- Site plan or survey showing STR location
- Parking information and layout
- Tax certificate showing current year taxes paid
- STR-specific information:
- Exact STR location address
- Contact information for responsible party
- Type of STR operation (owner-occupied vs. non-owner-occupied)
Permit Fees
- General SUP Request: $600 application fee
- Daycare SUP: $395 initial application fee + $100 annual renewal fee
Additional Requirements
- Certificate of Occupancy: Required after SUP approval (not automatically included with SUP)
- Sign Permits: If exterior signage is planned, separate sign permit required through Permit and Planning Technician at (940) 668-4799
- Business License: Contact city directly to verify if separate business licensing is required
Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
Zoning and Land Use Requirements
Permit Process Timeline:
- Processing Time: Approximately 60 days from application deadline
- Public Hearings Required: Two separate hearings (Planning & Zoning Commission + City Council)
- Approval Authority: Planning & Zoning Commission (recommends to City Council) and City Council (final approval)
Additional Considerations:
- STRs must comply with all applicable zoning district requirements
- Properties must meet building safety codes
- Off-street parking requirements must be satisfied
- Properties within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) are also subject to subdivision regulations
Operational Guidelines
Based on the city's application requirements, operators must specify:
- Owner-occupied status: Whether the property owner resides on-site
- Non-owner-occupied operation: For properties where owner does not reside
- Contact information: Responsible party contact details must be provided
- Location compliance: Property must be appropriately zoned and located
State and County Regulations
Texas State Level:
- Municipal zoning authority derives from Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211
- Cities have broad authority to regulate land use through zoning ordinances
- STRs must comply with state health and safety requirements
- Property taxes must be current
County Level:
- No specific county-level STR regulations identified in provided materials
- Properties may be subject to county health department requirements depending on location
Contact Information for Local Authority
Primary Contact: Community Development Department
Physical Address: 104 W. Hird St. Public Works Facility Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 668-4799 Email: cs@cogtx.org Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Key Personnel
Javonna Cannon Administrative Assistant Email: JCannon@cogtx.org Phone: (940) 668-4799
Planning & Zoning Division Handles STR applications, zoning compliance, and related permits
Additional Contacts
General City Information: City of Gainesville 200 South Rusk Gainesville, TX 76240 Phone: 940-668-4500
City Secretary (for ordinance information): Diana Loch, City Secretary Email: DLoch@cogtx.org Phone: (940) 668-4500
Links to Source Pages
- Planning & Zoning Department: www.gainesville.tx.us/169/Planning-Zoning
- Newly Adopted Ordinances: www.gainesville.tx.us/371/Newly-Adopted-Ordinances
- City Code of Ordinances: library.municode.com/tx/gainesville/codes/code_of_ordinances
- Special Use Permit Application: Available through Planning & Zoning department
- Board of Appeals: gainesville.tx.us/index.aspx?nid=131
- Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Available through Community Development Department
Important Note for Investors: Given the case-by-case nature of STR approvals in Gainesville, it's essential to consult with the Community Development Department early in your planning process. The city has approved multiple STR applications through the Special Use Permit process, indicating a favorable but regulated approach to short-term rental operations. Properties should be thoroughly vetted for zoning compliance, parking availability, and neighborhood compatibility before investment.
Next step
Found a property in Gainesville?
Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.
Free brief
Get the free Gainesville STR Investment Brief
Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Gainesville, Texas in one email.
Gainesville
Market Saturation Score
Photos of Gainesville
Overview of Gainesville
Gainesville is a small North Texas city that serves as the county seat of Cooke County. With a population of roughly 16,000, it has the feel of a traditional county-seat town centered on a historic courthouse square, while also functioning as a convenient stopover between the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and southern Oklahoma. The city sits about 70 miles north of Dallas, roughly an hour's drive, near the Red River which forms the Texas–Oklahoma state line. Gainesville is perhaps best known as a gateway to outdoor destinations in North Texas and southern Oklahoma, as well as for the historic downtown that anchors community life.
A short distance west of town lies the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands, a vast expanse of restored prairie and Cross Timbers habitat managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The grasslands offer hiking, horseback riding, fishing ponds, and wildlife viewing across tens of thousands of acres, and they are reached in roughly twenty to thirty minutes from Gainesville. It is one of the more unusual public-land landscapes in the region, set aside to reclaim land once damaged by farming and is a notable draw for visitors interested in the outdoors. The LBJ National Grasslands extend across several counties and provide a quiet contrast to the surrounding agricultural landscape.
Within the city itself, the Frank Buck Zoo is one of Gainesville's signature attractions. Named after the early-twentieth-century animal collector and adventurer, it houses a variety of native and exotic species in a small, walkable setting that appeals to families traveling through the region. The downtown square, lined with late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century brick buildings surrounding the Cooke County Courthouse, is the historic heart of the city and home to locally owned shops, cafes, and a number of preserved storefronts that reflect the town's role as an early-stagecoach stop along the old Butterfield Overland Mail route.
To the north, about thirty to forty minutes away, Lake Texoma stretches along the Texas–Oklahoma border and is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States. It offers boating, sailing, fishing, and lakeside state parks, and it draws visitors from both states year-round. South of Gainesville, Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides additional waterfront recreation within roughly a forty-five-minute drive, with trails, swimming areas, and campgrounds along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
For short-term-rental owners, Gainesville's appeal lies in its combination of small-town character and easy access to a surprisingly wide range of outdoor and cultural draws. Its position between the DFW metroplex and the Red River makes it a practical base for travelers heading to Lake Texoma, the LBJ Grasslands, or nearby state parks, while the historic square and zoo keep guests entertained on quieter days. This blend of regional access, walkable downtown, and proximity to larger North Texas attractions gives the city a steady, year-round visitor base well suited to the short-term-rental market.
Want to know if a property in Gainesville is a good investment?
Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.