Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Richmond, TX?

Yes—short‑term rentals (rentals of less than 30 days) are allowed in Richmond, Texas. There is no city‑specific short‑term rental permit or ban documented in the provided sources. However, Richmond has a Residential Rental Property Registration Ordinance that took effect January 1, 2023. The ordinance requires owner‑occupied residences used as rental properties to register and identify the owner or local agent for emergencies. The Building Department hosts the application and rental registration information. There is no separate city STR license or master permit detailed in the provided content. As with any property, operators must comply with applicable zoning, safety, nuisance, and state tax obligations.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Richmond

• Confirm zoning and deed restrictions
  • Verify the property’s zoning allows short‑term stays under the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC).
  • Check HOA/POA or deed restrictions that may prohibit transient rentals.
• Register the rental property (if owner‑occupied)
  • Use the city’s Building Department rental registration portal and requirements.
  • Maintain current owner or local agent contact information for emergency response.
• Set up tax compliance
  • Register with the Texas Comptroller to collect and remit state and applicable local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT).
  • File HOT returns by the due date, keep invoices and guest logs.
• Implement safety and compliance standards
  • Meet applicable fire/life safety requirements and city building codes for residential uses.
  • Follow noise, parking, trash, and nuisance rules enforced by Code Enforcement and Municipal Court.
• Insurance and operations
  • Obtain liability and property insurance suitable for STR use.
  • Establish guest screening, house rules, turn‑over procedures, and community relations practices.
• List and operate
  • Publish listings on major platforms and include the local registration number if required by platform rules.
  • Keep records of stays, taxes collected/remitted, maintenance, and complaints for audits.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City registration (owner‑occupied residential rental properties)
  • Use the Building Department’s Online Permit and License Application portal to submit the Residential Rental Property Registration.
  • Keep the approved registration, contact details, and any assigned registration number on file.
• Building, safety, and code compliance
  • Comply with the City of Richmond Code of Ordinances, UDC, and fire/life safety requirements.
  • Be prepared for inspections if alterations or safety items are triggered.
• State tax permits and filings
  • Texas HOT registration through the Comptroller; file and remit HOT.
• Documentation to retain
  • Property deed or lease; owner or local agent identification and 24/7 contact details.
  • Guest logs/stays under 30 days; tax receipts; insurance policies; HOA/POA rules; complaint records and resolution notes.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• City of Richmond (no explicit STR‑only ordinance in provided sources)
  • Residential Rental Property Registration Ordinance (effective 1/1/2023) for owner‑occupied rentals.
  • Registration requires owner or local agent identification for emergency/issue response.
  • Operators must follow the city’s Code of Ordinances, UDC, and Code Enforcement processes.
  • General nuisance, noise, and parking rules apply; violations may be processed through Municipal Court.
• Fort Bend County (context only)
  • The sources do not document county‑level STR rules specific to Richmond. City registration applies to the City of Richmond properties; otherwise, county rules may govern in the unincorporated county.
• State of Texas
  • Short‑term rentals are generally allowed absent local prohibitions.
  • Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) generally applies to STRs:
    • State HOT at 6%.
    • Combined state and local HOT can be up to 7%.
  • STRs are considered “transient accommodations” under Texas law; hosts must collect/remit applicable HOT.
  • Texas maintains statutes on local hotel taxes and their administration; rely on the Comptroller for current rates and remittance obligations.

Note on local HOT: Fort Bend County has a local hotel occupancy tax. Because multiple local taxing jurisdictions can overlap, verify the exact combined rate and any special district impositions (e.g., convention/tourism districts) for addresses in Richmond using the Texas Comptroller tax rate lookup or your tax professional.

Local Authority Contacts

• Building Department (Rental Registration, Code of Ordinances, Requirements & Guidelines)
  • Phone: (281) 342‑5456
  • Online Permit/License Application portal and Rental Registration Information links are on the Building Department page.
  • Departments index and site search on the city’s website can help locate forms and the UDC.
• Code Enforcement (complaints and code compliance)
  • Phone: (281) 342‑5456
  • Code of Ordinances and common violations are referenced on the city’s website.
• Municipal Court (enforcement of violations and fines)
  • Phone: (281) 342‑5456
  • Fines, fees, and payment options are outlined on the court’s page.
• Finance Department (Hotel Occupancy Tax information and city financial matters)
  • Phone: (281) 342‑5456
  • The city’s Finance Department page references Hotel Occupancy Tax.
• City Hall
  • Address: 402 Morton Street, Richmond, TX 77469
  • Phone: (281) 342‑5456

Links to Source Pages (Important)

• City of Richmond — Building Department: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/building-department
• City of Richmond — Online Permit and License Application: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/building-department/customer-service-portal
• City of Richmond — Rental Registration Information: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/building-department/rental-registration-information
• City of Richmond — Code of Ordinances: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/building-department/code-of-ordinances
• City of Richmond — Requirements and Guidelines: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/building-department/requirements-and-guidelines
• City of Richmond — Planning and Zoning (Unified Development Code): www.richmondtx.gov/departments/planing-and-zoning/development-codes-and-plans
• City of Richmond — Code Enforcement: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/code-compliance
• City of Richmond — Municipal Court: www.richmondtx.gov/departments/municipal-court
• City of Richmond — Finance Department (Hotel Occupancy Tax): www.richmondtx.gov/departments/finance-department
• News: Residential Rental Registration Update to Commission (May 22, 2023): www.richmondtx.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8469/ (link provides ordinance context and registration reference)

Practical note: The city website requires JavaScript. Use a desktop browser, disable blocking scripts, or access via the city’s site index and search to locate permit forms and the UDC.