Houston, TX Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor Guide

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Houston?

• Short-term rentals are allowed in Houston, subject to regulation. The City adopted a Short-Term Rental ordinance on April 16, 2025. Registration opens October 1, 2025, and enforcement begins January 1, 2026. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstonpermittingcenter.org/news-events/update-administration-regulatory-affairs-department-newly-adopted-short-term-rental-ord…
• The ordinance defines a short-term rental as a dwelling unit (or any portion of one) rented or offered for rent for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Enforcement is targeted to ensure compliance with noise, building/fire codes, and tax obligations. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

Important dates and milestones

• April 16, 2025: Ordinance adopted. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• October 1, 2025: Registration opens. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• January 1, 2026: Enforcement begins. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Media coverage indicates the city may begin accepting applications earlier than October; confirm the current schedule on the city STR portal before applying. See: click2houston.com/news/local/2025/05/06/houstons-new-short-term-rental-ordinance-what-businesses-need-to-know-and-when-it-takes-effect/ and houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Houston

1. Confirm eligibility and prepare compliance documentation

• Confirm your property lies within Houston city limits; this ordinance applies only within the city. If your property is in Houston’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) or unincorporated Harris County, city rules do not apply, and you should evaluate state law and any county/municipal rules separately.
• Validate zoning and deed restrictions. The Property Owner Authorization & Acknowledgement form requires you to confirm STR use does not violate rental agreements, HOA rules, covenants, or deed restrictions. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Obtain insurance. Maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage during periods of availability. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Complete required training. Finish a human trafficking prevention training course and retain your certificate. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstonpermittingcenter.org/human-trafficking-prevention

2. Register your STR via the city’s online portal

• Assemble all required documents before starting (see checklist below). The portal does not save in-progress applications; you must complete the process in one session. See: str.houstontx.gov/ and houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

3. Comply with Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) obligations

• Collect and remit both state (6%) and local (7%) HOT. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo may collect and remit some taxes automatically; confirm your platform settings and retain proof. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and click2houston.com/news/local/2025/05/06/houstons-new-short-term-rental-ordinance-what-businesses-need-to-know-and-when-it-takes-effect/

4. Prepare on-site disclosures and operations

• Display the certificate of registration and a 24/7 emergency contact in a conspicuous location. Maintain guest-facing safety information and contact details on the premises. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

5. Ongoing compliance and renewals

• Renew annually and promptly update any changes in ownership, contact information, or platform use. Registrations are non-transferable; a change in ownership requires a new registration. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Certificate of Registration (STR) via the city portal (str.houstontx.gov/). See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Registrant information: full name, email, phone, driver’s license (front and back image). Email addresses are used to link properties; changing email can affect access. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Property address and identification details. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Property owner and operator details: names, mailing and email addresses, and phone numbers. If the owner is a business entity (e.g., LLC), provide Texas Secretary of State documents and proof of good standing with the Texas Comptroller, and make those records available upon city request. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• 24/7 emergency contact: name and phone number; contact must be able to respond within one hour when notified by emergency personnel and must be displayed in the STR in a conspicuous place. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Platform listing details: names and website addresses of all platforms where the STR is advertised. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Property Owner Authorization & Acknowledgement Form (signed by the owner). See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• HOT compliance proof:
  • If using Airbnb: Provide a payment summary or earnings CSV evidencing HOT deduction/remittance. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
  • If using Vrbo: Obtain and submit the Stay Tax Report. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and help.vrbo.com/articles/About-the-stay-tax-report
  • If using other platforms or direct bookings: Provide proof of HOT payment/remittance for the most recent quarter (e.g., Houston First confirmation). If not previously registered, complete Houston First’s online HOT registration, submit a screenshot of confirmation, and maintain records for audits. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstonfirst.com/hot/registration-form
• Human trafficking prevention training: certificate of completion maintained on site and provided upon request. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Insurance: $1,000,000 liability policy in force during periods of availability; proof may be requested. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Registration fees: $275 non-refundable registration fee plus $33.10 non-refundable administrative fee per application. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Permits/insurance from other departments: While the STR ordinance is administered by the Administration & Regulatory Affairs (ARA) department, all STRs must still comply with applicable building and fire codes; coordinate permits through the Houston Permitting Center as needed. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstonpermittingcenter.org/

Houston STR Registration Checklist (downloadable)

• See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html (linked checklist)

Houston STR Registration “How-To” Guide (downloadable)

• See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html (linked guide)

City/County/State Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Houston STR Ordinance (effective 2026)

• Registration requirement: It is unlawful to operate, rent, lease, or advertise an STR within Houston city limits without a valid certificate of registration. Enforcement begins January 1, 2026. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Registration lifecycle: Registrations are non-transferable; ownership changes require a new registration. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Application submission: Through the online portal; the application must be completed in one session. See: str.houstontx.gov/
• Fees and renewals: $275 registration fee plus $33.10 administrative fee; renew annually. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Definitions and scope: STRs are dwelling units (or portions) rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days; certain lodging types (e.g., hotels, B&Bs) are excluded from the definition. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20241209/short-term-rental.pdf
• On-site disclosures:
  • Display the certificate of registration and the 24/7 emergency contact information in a conspicuous location.
  • Maintain and display guest-facing information regarding emergency contacts and safety (police, fire, EMS, nearest hospital/urgent care, fire station, severe weather alerts), occupancy limits, and evacuation routes. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20241209/short-term-rental.pdf
• Operational requirements:
  • Minimum stay: No rentals for fewer than one night. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
  • Compliance: Observe city noise/sound limits, building and fire codes, and solid waste/litter control requirements; prohibited from advertising or operating as event spaces. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20241209/short-term-rental.pdf
  • Insurance: Maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage during availability. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
  • Human trafficking prevention training: Complete and retain certificate; provide upon request. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Revocation grounds and denial:
  • Registration may be denied or revoked for false/misleading/incomplete information, failure to maintain insurance, failure to pay HOT, or a revoked registration within the prior year. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and click2houston.com/news/local/2025/05/06/houstons-new-short-term-rental-ordinance-what-businesses-need-to-know-and-when-it-takes-effect/
• Penalties: Violations are punishable by $100 to $500 per day; each day of violation is a separate offense. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html and houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20241209/short-term-rental.pdf
• Platform obligations: City may notify platforms to remove non-compliant listings; platforms must delist within 10 business days of notice. See: click2houston.com/news/local/2025/05/06/houstons-new-short-term-rental-ordinance-what-businesses-need-to-know-and-when-it-takes-effect/
• Complaint reporting: 24/7 hotline; see contact details below. See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

Harris County (unincorporated areas)

• If your property is outside Houston city limits but within Harris County (unincorporated), the City of Houston’s STR rules do not apply. Compliance may still be required under state law and any Harris County or other local ordinances. Seek local counsel or county authorities for specific rules.

State of Texas (occupancy tax and legal context)

• Hotel Occupancy Tax: Texas imposes a 6% state HOT on accommodations for fewer than 30 consecutive days. STRs must register with the Texas Comptroller and collect/remit state taxes. See: gowithsurge.com/blog/houston-short-term-rental-laws
• Local Hotel Occupancy Tax: Houston imposes an additional 7% local HOT. The city directs STR registrants to satisfy local HOT via Houston First (registration and payments). See: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Legal context: Texas courts have recognized STRs as residential use, and Texas generally allows local regulation; Houston’s ordinance is consistent with that framework. See: houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20241209/short-term-rental.pdf

Local Authority Contacts

• Administration & Regulatory Affairs (ARA) – STR Program (City of Houston)
  • Email: Use contact form on houstontx.gov/contactus/ (program emails are obfuscated by the site; the portal and hotline are the primary channels)
  • Phone: 311 (City of Houston) for general information; dial 311 or visit houstontx.gov/311
  • Website: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• Short-Term Rental Registration Portal
  • Portal: str.houstontx.gov/
• STR Complaints
  • Hotline: 713.636.5365 (24/7)
  • Online complaint portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/houston-tx/complaints/type
• Houston First Corporation (local HOT registration/payment)
  • HOT registration: houstonfirst.com/hot/registration-form
• Texas Comptroller (state HOT)
  • Website: comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel-occupancy-tax/
• Houston Permitting Center
  • Building/fire code compliance and permitting support
  • Phone: 832-394-9000
  • Address: 1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
  • Website: houstonpermittingcenter.org

Source Pages and Downloadable Resources

• City STR program: houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
• City ordinance (adopted 4/16/2025; PDF): houstontx.gov/ara/rp/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance-Adopted.pdf
• Registration portal: str.houstontx.gov/
• STR Registration Checklist (PDF): houstontx.gov/ara/str/STR-Registration-Checklist.pdf
• STR Registration “How-To” Guide (PDF): houstontx.gov/ara/str/STR-Registration-How-To-Guide.pdf
• Property Owner Authorization & Acknowledgement Form (PDF): houstontx.gov/ara/str/Property-Owner-Authorization-and-Acknowledgement-