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

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Greenville, TX and across Hunt County, but they are regulated. Greenville’s STR market exists within the broader county framework; the county’s regulations apply to unincorporated areas, and cities like Greenville may have additional or different requirements within their corporate limits. Hunt County’s “Development Requirements for Short Term Rental Communities” (adopted July 12, 2022) is the primary rulebook governing TRC/RVP developments—communities of lots intended to be rented or leased to individuals on a temporary basis. Within Greenville city limits, investors should confirm local zoning, permitting, and compliance obligations directly with the City of Greenville (see Contact Information below). The county’s rules are robust, comprehensive, and explicitly cover recreational vehicles, tiny houses/cottages, and other temporary lodging units.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

• Site selection and entitlement

  • Confirm the property is within Greenville city limits or unincorporated Hunt County. If inside the city, verify Greenville’s zoning and permitting requirements; if outside the city, proceed under Hunt County’s TRC/RVP framework.
  • Minimum tract size: 5 acres (unincorporated county). Maximum density: eight unit/RV spaces per acre. No flag lots permitted.

• Pre-application planning

  • Engage a Texas-licensed surveyor and engineer. Prepare an Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) to scale, including utility letters, septic suitability (if on-site sewage), drainage and street plans, floodplain coordination, and a letter from TXDOT if on FM/state highways.
  • If disturbing more than one acre of land, plan to obtain a TCEQ Construction General Storm Water Permit and include it in the IDP.
  • Coordinate culvert permitting with the county commissioner for the relevant precinct if the site is accessed off a county road.

• Permitting and approvals

  • Submit seven paper copies and one PDF of the IDP, with all fees, to Hunt County’s designated employees (Development Services, Fire Marshal’s Office, and others as applicable). Within 30 days, staff will issue a recommendation to the Commissioners Court.
  • Attend the Commissioners Court meeting to secure development permit approval. Development permits are valid for one year.

• Construction and inspections

  • Build to current standards (roads, utilities, service buildings, fire safety, sewage, etc.). Permittee must post the development permit at the site.
  • Schedule inspections through the designated offices; after completing construction, request final inspection within 10 business days. A Certificate of Compliance is issued within 15 days of approved inspection.

• Operations

  • Assign owner and operator names, phone numbers, email addresses, and maintain updates with the county.
  • Display development signage (36-inch height, 6-inch reflective characters), maintain unit space numbers, keep roads clear, ensure garbage/wastewater handling meets rules, and maintain dust control on gravel surfaces.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Hunt County Development Permit (valid for one year)
• Hunt County Floodplain Permit (contact the Floodplain Administrator; required near floodplains)
• Hunt County Septic (On-Site Sewage Facility) Authorization to Construct (valid for one year)
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
  • Construction General Storm Water Permit (if >1 acre of land disturbance)
  • Public utility permitting (if serving >25 residents or 15 lots from a groundwater source or charging separately for utilities)
  • Sewage treatment permit if estimated flows exceed 5,000 gallons per day or alternative methods are used
• Public Utility permits (if applicable; groundwater or utility provider)
• Culvert Permit (for access off county roads; request via precinct commissioner)
• Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) contents
  • Survey (Texas-licensed, original, stamped) with unit/space numbering, easements, setbacks, roads (named), dumpsters, common areas, buildings, septic stations/systems, wells, water lines, address assignment, unit space detail window insert, special flood hazard, drainage features, utilities (electric, cable, gas), and driveway letter from TXDOT for FM/state highway access
  • Warranty deed with current owner and legal description
  • Engineer/surveyor contact info (name, address, phone, Texas license, email)
  • Road maintenance statement (private roads, not county maintained)
  • Utility certification letters from approved providers
  • Septic suitability study (TCEQ TAC 285, Texas Water Code, Texas Health & Safety Code), including letter of suitability
  • Drainage plan (25-year storm design, ditch profiles/typical sections, culvert sizing, erosion control)
  • Street construction plans (plan scale ≤ 1 inch = 50 feet; grades/elevations; typical sections; drainage within right-of-way)
  • Tax certificate (no delinquent taxes on the proposed property)
• Insurance and liability: Align coverage with NFPA and county safety requirements for temporary lodging and RV parks.
• ADA considerations: Service buildings and amenities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• State-of-Texas Adopted Fire Codes: NFPA 1 (Fire Code), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 1192 (RVs), NFPA 1194 (RV parks and campgrounds).

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City, County, and State)

Note: The provided sources address Hunt County regulations for TRC/RVP and statewide fire/safety codes. Greenville city-specific STR ordinance details were not provided; therefore, contact the City of Greenville for any local zoning/permitting requirements.

• County (Hunt County, TRC/RVP) regulations (key elements)

  • Minimum standards
    • Fire safety: Fire extinguishers; open fires prohibited; no charcoal/gas grills allowed except as specified; NFPA codes apply; max 150 feet from hard-surface streets; sprinkler/alarm system standards per NFPA.
    • Roads: Minimum 28-foot improved surface within a 40-foot corridor; continuous fire lane; one-way or two-way designation; loop roads or 40-foot radius cul-de-sacs; minimum vertical clearance 15 feet; 6-inch compacted base minimum; support for 80,000 pounds; no on-road parking; two off-street parking spaces per unit/RV.
    • Garbage: Two 10-yard, fly-tight/water-tight/rodent-proof dumpsters for first 100 sites, plus one additional dumpster per each 50 sites or fraction; concrete pads; screened from view; regular disposal; contract required.
    • Sewage/Septic: Either public sewer access (provider certification) or on-site sewage facilities under TAC 285; estimated flow not to exceed 5,000 GPD for OSSF; above 5,000 GPD requires TCEQ sewage treatment permit; septic installed by licensed professionals.
    • Service Buildings: Required where lodging units lack self-contained toilets/showers. Provide specified fixtures per occupancy ratios, ADA compliance, and permanent structures.
    • Utilities: All water/sewage/gas lines buried; electrical per NEC; adequate public or community water supply; groundwater certification; public utility permits as applicable; wells per TCEQ guidelines; existing wells must be safe and water-tested.
    • Lots: Minimum 5 acres; density max 8 units/RV per acre; no flag lots; 5-foot utility easements; sewage drain lines located at the back of spaces.
    • Updates/remodels: Any changes must meet current standards and submit an IDP.
  • Development and operation
    • Display development signage; maintain unit numbering; keep roads clear; gravel roads with dust inhibitor; maintain vegetation; proper wastewater handling; garbage containment and scheduled pickups; minimum 30 feet between units; parking areas at least 15 feet wide; each site space accommodates two full-size vehicles; dust control.
  • Compliance/enforcement
    • Non-compliance leads to Notice of Non-Compliance; owner/operator must cure or submit a written compliance plan within 30 days; failure results in Certificate of Compliance suspension; less than 90 days of suspension allows reinstatement via compliance plan; more than 90 days requires a new development application and IDP.
  • Penalties
    • Violations may result in denial of utility services (Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232), plus applicable civil and criminal penalties; each day of violation constitutes a separate fine.

• Statewide standards and references (adopted/enforced in Hunt County)

  • Fire: NFPA 1 (Fire Code, 2015 Edition) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code, 2015 Edition), with referenced NFPA standards for RVs, RV parks, and electrical installations.
  • Environment: TCEQ TAC 285 (On-Site Sewage Facilities), Texas Water Code, Texas Health & Safety Code.
  • Flood: FEMA Floodplain Regulations; coordinate with Hunt County Floodplain Administrator for site-specific conditions.
  • Engineering: Hunt County Engineering Standards; Hunt County Subdivision Regulations; TXDOT standards for access on FM/state highways.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

• Hunt County Development Services / Community Development

  • 2701 Johnson Street, Greenville, TX 75401
  • Phone: Contact the office to confirm current number (office listed in the resolution and typically accessible via county directory).
  • Primary regulatory interface for development permits and Infrastructure Development Plans.

• Hunt County Fire Marshal’s Office

  • 2701 Johnson Street, Greenville, TX 75401
  • Phone: Contact the office to confirm current number.
  • Responsible for fire safety inspections, compliance notices, and enforcement.

• Hunt County Health Department (Septic/OSSF permitting)

  • 2701 Johnson Street, Greenville, TX 75401
  • Phone: Contact the office to confirm current number.
  • Issues septic authorizations to construct and conducts inspections.

• Hunt County Floodplain Administrator

  • Phone: Contact the office to confirm current number.
  • Coordinates floodplain permits and requirements near floodplains.

• City of Greenville (if within city limits; for zoning/permitting and inspections)

  • City Hall contact information not provided in the sources. Contact City of Greenville planning/building department to confirm city-specific STR requirements, permits, and inspections.

Source Pages and Links (IMPORTANT)

• Hunt County Short Term Rental Facility Resolution (July 12, 2022)

  • www.huntcounty.net/upload/page/10268/docs/Hunt%20Co%20Short%20Term%20Rental%20Facility%20Resolution%202022.07.12.pdf

• Lodge Compliance summary page for Hunt County (high-level orientation)

  • www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/hunt-county-tx

• Herald-Banner news article covering county approval of STR regulations

  • www.heraldbanner.com/news/local_news/county-approves-new-regulations-for-short-term-rental-communities/article_9ee4da76-06d1-11ed-80a5-df5706e16ee1.html

This guide is concise yet comprehensive for STR investors. If your site is inside Greenville city limits, confirm city-specific zoning and permitting requirements with the City of Greenville before proceeding under county rules.