Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in The Colony, Texas?

Yes. Short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in The Colony, Texas, subject to registration, Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) collection/remittance, and operational requirements. As of early 2022, the city adopted a registration and tax program for STRs. Ordinance No. 2024‑2545 (effective January 2, 2024) added detailed operating rules (e.g., minimum stay, occupancy limits, parking restrictions, signage and lighting limits, special-event prohibition, noise/curfew, designated operator, and signage/noise rules), and established penalties up to $2,000 per offense.

Sources:

• City STR program page: www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals
• Ord. 2024‑2545 (definitions; license; rules; penalties): mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13892/1281676/pdf
• FAQ (registration, tax, compliance steps): thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/

How to start a short‑term rental business in The Colony

• Register the property in the city’s online platform.
• Set up Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) collection and quarterly remittance.
• Confirm HOA/CC&R compliance for STR use and booking (see regulatory notes below).
• Assign a “designated operator” who can be contacted for immediate issues and respond on-site if needed.
• Prepare host rules for guests covering occupancy, parking, trash, special events, amplified sound, and curfew.
• Maintain compliance with all city codes (building, electrical, noise, lighting, signage).

Step-by-step:

1. Visit the STR portal at thecolony.munirevs.com/. Click “Register” to create an account. You’ll need the six‑digit account number and activation code (provided by GovOS upon account creation) to activate each property.
2. Complete the license application and provide required information: applicant/owner/designated operator details; for entities, list partners/directors/members/officers.
3. Confirm 7% HOT collection and set up quarterly remittances via the portal. Payments are due the last day of the month following each quarter (Jan 31; Apr 30; Jul 31; Oct 31). If no rental activity for a quarter, you must still submit a return (Zero File).
4. Obtain and post your STR registration number in all online listings and in a conspicuous place inside the unit. Verify compliance with the city’s operational rules (see “Specific regulations” below).
5. Establish a local designated operator contact capable of responding in person within one hour of a city request while guests are on site.

Sources:

• Registration, due dates, payment methods, designated operator duties, license display: thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/; www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals
• License application contents and operational rules: Ord. 2024‑2545: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13892/1281676/pdf

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Required:

• Short‑Term Rental Facility License (registration) prior to advertising/renting. One license per dwelling unit. No registration fee.
• License application must include applicant/owner/designated operator contact details. If the applicant/owner is a partnership/corporation/LLC, list all partners/directors/members/officers.
• HOT registration and quarterly filings via GovOS; remit 7% of gross short‑term rents. Gross rent includes all non‑optional fees (e.g., cleaning, reservation fees, pet fees) and any amounts received from lodging intermediaries.

Posting and documentation:

• License registration number must be posted in all online advertisements and displayed in a conspicuous location within the unit at all times.
• Keep a copy of host rules on site and provide a copy to occupants upon check‑in.
• Maintain contact information for the designated operator and be prepared to produce records upon request.

Quirky compliance items to plan for:

• Online platforms do not remit HOT to The Colony (Airbnb and Vrbo do not collect/remit). You must remit taxes yourself.
• Multiple properties require one login (add properties with their six‑digit account number and activation codes).
• Each property can have unlimited users; each user needs the account number and activation code to connect.

Sources:

• Registration scope and details; one license per unit; registration number posting: thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/
• Licensing and operational requirements, penalties: Ord. 2024‑2545: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13892/1281676/pdf
• Platform non‑remittance and payment methods (Visa, Mastercard, Discover; e‑check; no American Express; no fees): thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/ and www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals

Specific regulations (city, county, and state)

City of The Colony (selected highlights):

• Definition: STR is a residential dwelling unit rented for compensation for less than 30 consecutive days.
• License required: No operation without a license; application via GovOS; license is valid from issuance unless suspended/revoked.
• Minimum stay: Two nights (no rentals under two nights).
• Occupancy: Maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons for the entire unit (e.g., three‑bedroom unit: up to eight occupants).
• Parking: Only within the off‑street driveway spaces available on the host property. Parking more vehicles than available spaces is prohibited. Do not park on unapproved surfaces. RVs, boats, commercial vehicles, and prohibited motor vehicles may not be parked on the premises or on nearby residential streets during an STR stay.
• Lighting and signage: On residentially zoned properties, lighting must be directed toward the establishment, not at adjacent properties. No on‑premise signage advertising the property as a short‑term rental.
• Special events: Prohibited on STR premises (e.g., banquets, weddings, receptions, reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, concerts, or similar gatherings that would assemble large numbers of invitees).
• Noise/curfew: Do not allow congregation of occupants outside between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. with unreasonable noise. Follow Article IX of Chapter 6 (Noise Ordinance) requirements.
• Trash: No placement of trash on the premises before 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to scheduled pickup or on non‑pickup days; remove any trash placed in the street or alley within 24 hours of service.
• Physical conversions: No conversion of garages to living space or modifications that add bedrooms without city approval and compliance with all city codes. Do not pave or otherwise cover pervious soil to create additional on‑premise parking without prior city approval.
• Designated operator: You must identify a local responsible party who can be contacted immediately. This person must be reachable by phone at all times while guests are present and must be able to respond in person within one hour of city request. The responsible party must be authorized to make decisions regarding the premises and its occupants, and must accept service of citations.
• Advertising: Do not advertise or allow promotion of prohibited special events or violations of city ordinance.
• Penalties: Violations of the STR article or license conditions are punishable by fines from $1 to $2,000 per offense; each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

State (Texas) context:

• Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax is 6% at the state level. The Colony imposes an additional local HOT rate of 7%, which STR operators must collect and remit. Combined burden depends on whether Airbnb/Vrbo remit the state portion; however, in The Colony those platforms do not remit the city’s tax, so operators are responsible for remitting the city’s 7%. Many Texas cities also collect a local HOT (often 7%), and counties may add an additional amount. Because platform involvement and local remittance procedures vary, confirm the current combined rate and payment mechanics with The Colony Finance Department before listing.

Sources:

• Ordinance 2024‑2545 (definitions, license, operational rules, penalties): mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13892/1281676/pdf
• City STR program and HOT overview: www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals
• HOT definitions and operational FAQs: thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/

Contact information

For licensing, program questions, support, and tax remittance:

• The Colony Finance Department (Hotel Occupancy Tax):

  • Phone: 972‑624‑3140
  • Email: See Finance department contact via STR page (the colony STR page lists contact options for HOT).
  • Remittance forms are available via the GovOS portal; payment due dates: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31.

• The Colony STR general inquiries and complaints:

  • Email: STR support/contact listed on the city STR page.

• GovOS (MUNIRevs) STR Support:

  • Email: blt.str.support@govos.com
  • Phone: 888‑751‑1911
  • Registration portal: thecolony.munirevs.com/
  • When contacting support, include jurisdiction (“The Colony”) and your six‑digit account number.

• City of The Colony main contact:

  • Address: 6800 Main Street, The Colony, TX 75056
  • Phone: 972‑625‑1756
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Fri 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Sources:

• City STR page and finance contacts: www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals
• GovOS support and portal: thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/
• GovOS website: govos.com/

Links to source pages

• City of The Colony – Short-Term Rentals program: www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals
• GovOS MUNIRevs – The Colony STR portal and FAQ: thecolony.munirevs.com/ and thecolony.munirevs.com/faq/
• City of The Colony – Ordinance No. 2024‑2545 (Chapter 8, Article III): mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13892/1281676/pdf
• Star Local Media – “The Colony to consider new short-term rental ordinance” (news context): starlocalmedia.com/thecolonycourierleader/news/the-colony-to-consider-new-short-term-rental-ordinance/article_55e8dafb-57e3-4415-b51e-a70d575fa934.html

Key compliance reminders:

• Register before advertising; one license per unit.
• Display your registration number in all ads and inside the unit.
• Collect and remit 7% HOT quarterly; if no activity, file a zero return.
• Follow occupancy, parking, lighting, signage, special‑event, noise, and trash rules.
• Maintain a responsive designated operator on call during guest stays.