Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor's Guide: Ozona, Texas

Overview: STR Status in Ozona, TX

Based on the available information provided, there are no specific short-term rental regulations identified for Ozona, Texas, or its county (Crockett County). This means that while short-term rentals are likely permitted under general Texas state regulations, there are no city-specific or county-specific ordinances governing STRs in Ozona at the time of the available data.

Important Note for Investors: Ozona operates under whatever general state-level regulations apply in Texas, but without local restrictions that many Texas cities have implemented. This creates both opportunities and uncertainties that investors should carefully consider.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ozona?

Ozona hosts earn a median $28,141/year with $120 ADR and 74% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,504+ per year.

See the full Ozona market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Ozona, TX Market

Initial Assessment and Planning

Given the lack of specific local regulations, potential STR operators in Ozona should begin with these essential steps:

Property Zoning Verification
- Confirm the property zoning allows for short-term rental use
- Even in areas without specific STR ordinances, residential zoning may have implicit restrictions
- Contact Crockett County officials to verify allowable uses on your property
State Compliance Framework
- Register with the Texas Comptroller for hotel occupancy tax collection
- Obtain any required state business permits
- Ensure compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code requirements for rental properties
Insurance and Liability
- Secure appropriate liability coverage
- Consider short-term rental specific insurance policies
- Review existing homeowner insurance policies for rental activity coverage
Financial Planning
- Account for state and local hotel occupancy taxes
- Plan for potential future local regulations that may be implemented
- Factor in compliance costs for state-level requirements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements (Texas)

Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration:

Authority: Texas Comptroller
Requirement: Registration required before collecting hotel occupancy tax
Tax Rate: 6% state hotel occupancy tax
Process: Online registration through Texas Comptroller website
Ongoing: Monthly or quarterly remittance required

Business Registration:

Authority: Texas Secretary of State
Requirement: Business entity registration (if operating as LLC, corporation, etc.)
Permit: Potentially required sales tax permit for hotel occupancy tax collection

Potential Local Requirements (Crockett County/Ozona)

Note: No specific requirements identified for Ozona/Crockett County, but the following should be verified:

Building Permits: Required for any structural modifications
Health Department Permits: May be required for septic/wastewater systems
Fire Safety Inspection: May be required depending on property type
Business License: Verify if county or city requires general business licensing

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

State-Level Regulations (Texas)

Based on the available information, Texas has taken a generally permissive approach to STRs at the state level, with regulation primarily handled at the municipal level. Key state-level considerations:

Hotel Occupancy Tax Requirements:

6% state tax on lodging costs
Local hotel occupancy taxes may also apply (verify current rates for Crockett County)
Monthly or quarterly remittance required
Detailed record-keeping required

General Health and Safety Requirements:

Compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code
Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements
Basic habitability standards

Municipal/County Regulations

Ozona-Specific: No specific ordinances identified in the provided content.

Crockett County: No specific STR regulations identified in the provided content.

Historical Context: The 2018 THLA update shows that Texas cities were actively considering STR regulations as of that time, with Austin implementing restrictive measures and other cities like San Antonio considering density restrictions. However, smaller communities like Ozona may not have addressed STR-specific regulations yet.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Crockett County Government

Physical Address: Crockett County Courthouse 906 W 9th St Ozona, TX 76943

Phone: (325) 392-2702

Email: Contact information not specified in provided content

Website: www.co.crockett.tx.us (website URL inferred, verify current)

City of Ozona

Note: Ozona is an unincorporated community within Crockett County, so county authorities would be the primary local government contact.

Texas State Resources

Texas Comptroller - Hotel Occupancy Tax:

Phone: (800) 252-5555
Website: comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/
Email: Contact through website portal

Texas Hotel & Lodging Association:

Phone: 512-474-2996
Fax: 512-480-0773
Email: thla@texaslodging.com
Address: 1701 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Note: Industry association providing resources and advocacy

Important Considerations for Ozona STR Investors

Regulatory Monitoring

Future Regulatory Risk: Smaller Texas communities may adopt STR regulations in response to growth or state-level developments
Land Use Restrictions: Verify deed restrictions, HOA rules, or neighborhood covenants that may affect STR operations
Zoning Compliance: Ensure property zoning allows for commercial rental activity

Market Analysis

Tourism Patterns: Ozona's location and tourism draw will significantly impact STR viability
Competition Analysis: Limited or no existing STR market data available for Ozona
Infrastructure Assessment: Verify adequate utilities, internet, and access for STR operations

Due Diligence Recommendations

Direct County Contact: Verify current county regulations and any pending ordinance discussions
State Tax Compliance: Immediately register with Texas Comptroller for hotel occupancy tax
Professional Consultation: Consider consulting with Texas hospitality law attorney familiar with STR regulations
Insurance Review: Secure appropriate coverage before beginning operations
Neighborhood Relations: Engage with nearby property owners to address any concerns

Source Pages

Disclaimer: The information above is based solely on the provided content. Investors should verify all regulatory requirements with current local authorities, as regulations may have changed since the source material was published. The lack of specific Ozona or Crockett County regulations in the provided content does not guarantee that no such regulations exist or will not be implemented in the future.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Ozona

Ozona is a small, unincorporated-feeling community in West Texas that serves as the county seat of Crockett County. With a population of roughly 3,000 residents, the town has a long-standing reputation as the "Biggest Little Town in the World" and was once billed as the wool and mohair capital of the United States, a heritage rooted in the surrounding sheep and Angora goat ranches. Travelers passing along Interstate 10 between San Antonio and El Paso tend to remember Ozona for its vast, open horizon, the giant welcome sign that has been the subject of local legend, and a quiet, slow-paced ranching culture that has changed little in decades. The nearest major city is San Antonio, about 150 miles to the east, while Midland–Odessa lies roughly 130 miles to the northwest across the Edwards Plateau.

One of the most distinctive nearby historic destinations is Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, the remains of a frontier U.S. Army outpost established in 1855 along the Pecos River. Abandoned before the Civil War, the site preserves crumbling adobe walls, officers' quarters, and a sense of the military frontier that once defined the region, and it sits approximately 30 miles west of Ozona just off Interstate 10. Visitors can tour the ruins on a self-guided walk and learn about the soldiers, scouts, and stagecoach travelers who passed through this stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert.

In the town itself, the Crockett County Museum and the Davy Crockett Memorial Fountain anchor the civic core, with exhibits on local ranching, oil-boom history, and the wool and mohair trade that put the community on the map. The nearby "WELCOME TO OZONA" sign, a sprawling metal landmark on the edge of town, is one of the most photographed roadside icons in the region and the unofficial greeting for travelers heading deeper into the Trans-Pecos.

A short drive south of Ozona opens up some of the most striking backcountry in Texas, including Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, known for ancient Lower Pecos rock art and dramatic canyon walls along the Rio Grande. The park lies roughly 70 miles to the southwest near Comstock and offers a counterpoint to the flatter ranch country around Ozona, while the rolling ranchland to the north and east leads toward San Angelo, about 100 miles away, for those wanting a longer day trip into the Concho Valley.

For short-term-rental investors, Ozona's appeal lies in its position as an honest-to-goodness overnight stop on one of the longest highway corridors in the country. The combination of a storied Western identity, accessible historic sites like Fort Lancaster, and proximity to both the Hill Country and the desert parks of the Trans-Pecos gives the town year-round pull from road-trippers, hunters, and travelers seeking something quieter than the chain hotels off the interstate.

Ozona, Texas

Very Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Ozona, Texas