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Pecos, TX

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STR Regulations for Pecos, Texas

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

Short‑term rentals are permitted in Texas, including in the City of Pecos (Reeves County), subject to state hotel occupancy tax (HOT) obligations and local zoning and code requirements. The provided sources do not contain city‑specific rules for Pecos; therefore, this guide relies on Texas‑wide frameworks and notes where local verification is necessary. Investors must confirm any Pecos‑specific zoning, registration, or permit requirements and any local HOT rates before operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pecos?

Pecos hosts earn a median $14,755/year with $114 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $18,196+ per year.

See the full Pecos market breakdown

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Pecos

  1. Confirm zoning and occupancy
  • Determine whether your property is in a zoning district that allows transient lodging or short‑term rentals.
  • Verify minimum parking, access, and life‑safety requirements.
  • Review HOA/POA or condo association rules if applicable (not provided in sources).
  1. Meet tax obligations
  • Register for Texas state and any applicable local hotel occupancy taxes.
  • Set up remittance cadence (monthly/quarterly) with the Texas Comptroller and local tax authority.
  • Confirm the correct local HOT rate for Pecos with the city or county.
  1. Prepare and list
  • Draft house rules and safety protocols; install required safety devices where applicable (e.g., smoke/CO detectors).
  • Establish booking terms, cancellation policies, and housekeeping standards.
  • List on platforms while ensuring booking records and guest logs are maintained for tax reporting.
  1. Operate and remit
  • Maintain an audit‑ready record of gross receipts and nights sold.
  • File and pay HOT on time; preserve documentation (reservations, payments, remittance records).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • State tax registration and filings
    • Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (state rate 6%): obtain any required Comptroller accounts and file remittances as required. (Texas Comptroller guidance cited in sources)
  • Local tax registration and filings (if applicable)
    • City or county HOT registration and remittance. Verify Pecos’ local HOT rate and filing cadence with the city or county.
  • Zoning confirmation
    • Written confirmation from the City of Pecos or Reeves County planning/zoning that short‑term rental use is allowed at the subject address.
  • Insurance and liability
    • Property and liability coverage appropriate for transient lodging; confirm carrier requirements for STR operations.
  • Safety and code compliance
    • Confirm life‑safety devices and inspection requirements with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).
  • Recordkeeping
    • Guest logs, reservation records, and receipts aligned with HOT reporting periods.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals: City/County/State

  • State (Texas)
    • Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) applies to the rental of rooms or spaces for fewer than 30 days in a dwelling (as referenced by state Comptroller guidance). The standard state rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may impose additional HOT.
  • County (Reeves County)
    • No county‑specific STR ordinance is included in the provided sources. Reeves County may administer county HOT; confirm rate and remittance directly.
  • City (Pecos, TX)
    • No Pecos‑specific STR ordinance text is included in the provided sources. Check the City of Pecos code of ordinances and municipal zoning for any registration, cap, inspection, or operational rules. The Municode link for Pecos is included in sources but not accessible in the content provided.

Sources to confirm local rules:

Note on 2018 THLA update: The Texas Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2018 update documents that municipalities across Texas have adopted diverse STR policies (e.g., moratoria, bans, density caps, inspections). This underscores the need to verify Pecos’ current municipal stance even if not present in the provided sources.

Tax Obligation Overview (Texas)

  • State HOT: 6% (apply to gross rental receipts for stays under 30 days).
  • Local HOT: Additional local taxes may apply; exact rate for Pecos must be verified with the city/county.
  • Sports/Community Venue taxes: Not referenced for Pecos; confirm if any apply locally.

Remittance: Register with the Texas Comptroller and file HOT according to your assigned cadence. Maintain guest and revenue records and remit on time to remain compliant.

Contact Information

Texas state guidance

Local authority (City of Pecos)

  • City of Pecos — City Secretary / City Hall (general municipal inquiries)
    • Address: 112 W 3rd St, Pecos, TX 79772
    • Phone: Not provided in the sources.
    • Website: Not provided in the sources.
    • Primary inquiry: Confirm any STR zoning/use registration and Pecos HOT rate and filing process.

County authority (Reeves County)

  • Reeves County — County Judge/County Clerk
    • Address: 100 E 4th St, Pecos, TX 79772
    • Phone: Not provided in the sources.
    • Website: www.co.pecos.tx.us/
    • Primary inquiry: Confirm whether Reeves County administers a local HOT and the applicable rate and filing requirements.

Statewide industry resources

  • Texas Hotel & Lodging Association (THLA)
    • Phone: 512‑474‑2996
    • Email: thla@texaslodging.com
    • Address: 1701 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
    • Website: texaslodging.com/ (2018 STR update)

Links to Source Pages

Practical Compliance Checklist (Before You List)

  • Confirm zoning/use allowance with the City of Pecos or Reeves County planning department.
  • Register for state HOT with the Texas Comptroller; determine filing cadence.
  • Verify whether Pecos or Reeves County has a local HOT; obtain registration and rate information.
  • Map guest‑facing policies to tax collection timing and reporting.
  • Keep an itemized ledger of all reservations, nightly rates, and receipts.
  • Set up a payment and remittance schedule; monitor due dates to avoid penalties.
  • Review HOA/POA or condo association rules for additional constraints.

Important: Because the provided sources do not include Pecos‑specific STR ordinance text, confirm any city registration, caps, inspections, or local HOT details with the City of Pecos or Reeves County before commencing operations.

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Pecos

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Pecos Market Analysis

Photos of Pecos

Overview of Pecos

Pecos sits in the high desert of West Texas, in Reeves County, where it serves as the county seat and a hub for the surrounding oil, ranching, and agricultural landscape. Home to roughly 8,000 residents, the city has the relaxed, hard-working feel of a small West Texas town and is best known for hosting the West of the Pecos Rodeo, which bills itself as the world's first rodeo and runs each year in late June. Located along Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 285, Pecos sits about 80 miles west of the Midland–Odessa metropolitan area, and serves as a natural stopover for travelers heading toward southern New Mexico or the Big Bend region of far West Texas.

The West of the Pecos Museum occupies a cluster of restored historic buildings in downtown Pecos, most notably the ornate former Orient Hotel, a railroad-era landmark. The museum preserves ranching, rodeo, and frontier history from across the region, with exhibits on cowboys, oil booms, and the military presence along the Pecos River. It sits within walking distance of the town center and is open year-round, with the rodeo hall of fame drawing particular interest during the annual rodeo week.

The Buck Jackson Arena, just south of downtown, hosts the legendary West of the Pecos Rodeo each June, an event with roots stretching back to the 1880s that still draws competitors and spectators from across the country. Outside of rodeo week, the arena is a touchstone of local identity, surrounded by rodeo murals and monuments that nod to the city's deep ranching heritage. Travelers passing through often time their visit to coincide with the rodeo, while off-season visitors can still tour the grounds and nearby historical sites.

About 90 miles to the north, across the state line in southeastern New Mexico, lies Carlsbad Caverns National Park, one of the most celebrated cave systems in the United States. The park's main attraction, the Big Room, is a nearly mile-long underground chamber filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations. The drive from Pecos to the visitor center takes roughly an hour and a half, making the city a practical base for cave enthusiasts who want a quieter, more affordable alternative to staying in Carlsbad itself.

About an hour south of Pecos, Balmorhea State Park offers a stark contrast to the surrounding desert, anchored by a vast spring-fed swimming pool built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The pool's steady temperature draws families, divers, and travelers year-round, and the surrounding park includes camping, picnicking, and a chance to spot native fish and turtles. It makes a natural day trip for visitors based in Pecos.

Together, these attributes make Pecos an appealing base for short-term rental investors. The city combines a genuine, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere with proximity to two of the Southwest's standout natural attractions, Carlsbad Caverns and Balmorhea, as well as a celebrated annual rodeo that reliably fills rooms. Travelers who value elbow room, dark desert skies, and easy access to both historical culture and outdoor adventure will find Pecos a logical and rewarding place to stay.

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