Port Arthur, Texas
Want to see how Port Arthur compares to other top cities in Texas? Explore all city regulations in Texas. →
Port Arthur, TX
Challenging To Investors
Local STR Agent
Local STR Agent
STR Regulations for Port Arthur, Texas
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Port Arthur, TX?
Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Port Arthur, TX. The Port Arthur City Council approved an ordinance (PO 7302) on January 14, 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for STRs. Key requirements include obtaining a city permit, registering properties, and paying a 7% local hotel occupancy tax (HOT). Implementation is targeted for May 1, 2025, with active enforcement planned.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Port Arthur?
Port Arthur hosts earn a median $23,778/year with $106 ADR and 82% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $33,536+ per year.
See the full Port Arthur market breakdownHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Port Arthur
- Understand Zoning Compliance: Verify your property’s zoning allows short-term rentals. Contact the Planning & Zoning Division at 409-983-8135 or 409-983-8139 for verification. Consult the City Code of Ordinances (Municode) Appendix A: Zoning for permitted uses.
- Obtain Required Permits: Apply for the city STR permit through the upcoming online registration portal (details pending staff implementation).
- Set Up Tax Compliance: Register to collect and remit the 7% local hotel occupancy tax (HOT). Evaluate options for platform-based tax collection (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO integration).
- Utilize Resources: Leverage tools like the Granicus platform (launching October 2025) for compliance monitoring and reporting. Use the city’s dedicated STR webpage (under development) for guidance.
- Coordinate with Platforms: Work with listing platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) to ensure tax remittance agreements are in place.
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
- City STR Permit: Required to operate legally.
- Registration Portal Submission: Properties must be registered with the city before renting.
- Local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Setup: Collect and remit the 7% local HOT.
- Compliance Monitoring: Use Granicus services (cost: ~$30,000 annually) for ongoing compliance checks.
- Zoning Verification: Ensure the property complies with zoning ordinances (contact Planning & Zoning).
- Accessibility: Follow city website accessibility guidelines if listing on city platforms.
Specific Regulations (City, County, State)
City-Level (Port Arthur)
- Permit Requirement: STRs must obtain a city permit (PO 7302).
- Registration: Properties must be registered through an online portal.
- Hotel Occupancy Tax: 7% local HOT is mandatory.
- Implementation: Target start date May 1, 2025, with public outreach and a dedicated hotline for reporting non-compliance.
- Enforcement Tools: Granicus platform for listing detection, third-party services (e.g., Rentalscape), and code enforcement.
- Zoning Compliance: STRs must adhere to zoning district regulations (consult Municode code).
County-Level (Jefferson County)
- No Specific County STR Rules Identified: Operate under state and city regulations unless county-level guidelines emerge.
State-Level (Texas)
- State Hotel Occupancy Tax: Collect and remit the state’s HOT (6% as per management company guidance). Verify with the Texas Comptroller’s office.
- No Statewide STR Registration: Compliance is primarily city-driven in Port Arthur.
Contact Information for Local Authorities
- Port Arthur City Hall:
Phone: 409-983-8100
Address: 444 4th Street, Port Arthur, TX 77640 - Planning & Zoning Division:
Phone: 409-983-8135 or 409-983-8134
Email: krystal.williams@portarthurtx.gov - Permitting/Inspections Department:
Phone: 409-983-8135 (general contact) - City Attorney’s Office: For legal guidance on ordinances (contact via City Hall).
- Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Contact: Tammy Couture (per council meeting notes).
Links to Source Pages
- City Council STR Ordinance Approval: Citizen Portal - Jan 14, 2025 Meeting
- Implementation Planning: Citizen Portal - July 15, 2025 Meeting
- City Website FAQ & Zoning: Port Arthur Planning & Zoning FAQ
- City Code of Ordinances (Municode): Port Arthur Municipal Code
- Building Permits & Applications: Port Arthur Inspections & Permitting
Important Notes for Investors
- Stay Updated: Regulations are actively evolving; monitor the city’s dedicated STR webpage and council meeting videos.
- Enforcement Strategy: The city will prioritize compliance through platform partnerships, tax remittance agreements, and public reporting via hotline.
- Market Data: As of November 2024, ~95 STR listings were active on Airbnb/VRBO, generating an estimated $100,000-$200,000 in annual HOT revenue.
This guide provides a foundation for compliance in Port Arthur’s emerging STR market. Consult the city directly for real-time updates and specific permit applications.
Next step
Found a property in Port Arthur?
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 Port Arthur STR Investment Brief
Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Port Arthur, Texas in one email.
Port Arthur
Market Saturation Score
Photos of Port Arthur
Overview of Port Arthur
Port Arthur sits in the far southeastern corner of Texas in Jefferson County, where the Neches River empties into Sabine Lake and gives way to the Gulf of Mexico. With a population of roughly 55,000, the city is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area and carries the layered character of a working Gulf Coast port town. Long associated with the oil refining and petrochemical industries that line the ship channel, Port Arthur also embraces a quieter identity shaped by Cajun and Creole influences, bayou culture, and the marshy coastline of the upper Texas Gulf. It is widely known as a gateway to the beaches and wildlife refuges of the upper Texas coast, and as the childhood hometown of rock and roll singer Janis Joplin. Port Arthur lies roughly 90 miles east of Houston, a drive of just under two hours on Interstate 10.
A short drive south of the city, Sea Rim State Park stretches along the Gulf shoreline and into the surrounding marshlands, offering beach access, crabbing, and bird-watching in one of the last remaining Chenier Plain habitats on the Texas coast. Visitors typically reach the park in about 30 minutes from downtown Port Arthur, and it provides a vivid contrast to the industrial waterfront to the north.
The Museum of the Gulf Coast, located in downtown Port Arthur, traces the cultural and natural history of the region from prehistoric times to the present, with exhibits on the oil boom, the seafood industry, and the area's musical heritage, including a notable display honoring Janis Joplin. It is an easy stop within the city itself and offers visitors a thoughtful introduction to local identity.
Just across the Sabine Causeway, Pleasure Island is a low-lying barrier community set between Sabine Lake and the Gulf, popular for fishing, boating, and casual bird-watching. A short drive southeast of the city, the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge preserves thousands of acres of coastal marsh and prairie and is a favored stop for visitors hoping to see alligators, waterfowl, and the wide-open coastal landscape that once stretched across the region.
For travelers considering a short-term rental, Port Arthur offers a base that combines easy access to Houston, Beaumont, and the Louisiana state line with the natural and cultural distinctives of the upper Gulf Coast. The city's museums, nearby state park, and wildlife refuges give visitors a range of things to do, while the working-port setting, regional cuisine, and proximity to larger hubs make it an appealing off-the-beaten-path stop for guests exploring Southeast Texas.
Want to know if a property in Port Arthur is a good investment?
Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.