Wichita Falls, Texas Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Wichita Falls, Texas. The city defines a Short-Term Rental (STR) as "the rental of a legally-licensed dwelling unit for periods of less than 30 consecutive days per occurrence." However, STRs are subject to specific regulations, tax obligations, and permitting requirements that investors must comply with before operating.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Wichita Falls?

Wichita Falls hosts earn a median $21,303/year with $101 ADR and 77% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,343+ per year.

See the full Wichita Falls market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Wichita Falls

Step 1: Register Your Property

Apply for a Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration before advertising or renting your property
Registration must be completed through the city's GovOS online portal
Each STR property requires its own separate registration

Step 2: Set Up Tax Collection and Remittance

Obtain a 6-digit account number and activation code for each property
Set up your GovOS account to access tax forms and make payments
Establish procedures for collecting the required 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax from guests

Step 3: Understand Tax Payment Obligations

Submit monthly or quarterly tax returns (quarterly filing may be available upon approval)
File returns even if no rental activity occurred during the period
Ensure payments are received by the 20th day of the month following the tax period

Step 4: Implement Compliance Procedures

Develop systems to track all rental income and associated fees
Ensure you're collecting and remitting all required taxes on gross rental receipts
Maintain accurate records for potential audits

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration

Required: Yes, before advertising or renting
Fee: Currently no fee associated with registration
Process: Complete online registration through GovOS portal
Account Setup: Receive 6-digit account number and activation code

Tax Remittance Requirements

Monthly or quarterly tax filing (based on approval)
Gross rental receipts including all non-optional fees (cleaning fees, pet charges, extra person/vehicle fees, booking fees)
Tax returns due by the 20th of the month following the tax period
Zero-file returns required for periods with no activity

Business Records

Maintain records of all rental income and associated fees
Keep documentation supporting any deductions claimed
Preserve records for potential tax audits

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Wichita Falls, TX

Tax Obligations

Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax Rate: 9.00% of gross short-term rental receipts
Gross Receipts Definition: All consideration for occupancy including all non-optional fees (excluding taxes)
Payment Schedule: Monthly or quarterly (if approved) due by the 20th day of the following month

Penalty Structure for Late Payments

Late Filing Penalty: 5.00% of Total Tax Due for first 30 days of delinquency
Additional Late Penalty: Additional 5.00% if 30+ days late
Interest Charges: 6.00% annual rate on Total Tax Due, begins after 60 days of delinquency
Note: Penalty begins accruing after one day late; additional penalty after 30 days; interest after 60 days

Platform Compliance

Major Booking Platforms: Neither Airbnb nor Vrbo collect or remit Hotel Occupancy Tax for Wichita Falls
Owner Responsibility: Property owners/agents are solely responsible for tax collection and remittance
No Automatic Deduction: Platform fees and taxes do not exempt property owners from compliance

Licensing and Enforcement

Registration Requirement: Mandatory before advertising or renting
Enforcement: City actively enforces violations of registration and tax requirements
Compliance Responsibility: Owner(s) are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable ordinances

Contact Information for Local Authority

Wichita Falls Finance Department

Primary Contact: Kristin Lalumia
Email: kristin.lalumia@wichitafallstx.gov
Contact For: Account closure, amended returns, general tax questions

GovOS Support (Tax Filing System)

Email: blt.str.support@govos.com
Phone: (888) 751-1911
Contact For: Technical support, account access, system questions, activation codes

City of Wichita Falls

Address: 1300 7th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76307-7531
Contact For: General city inquiries, compliance questions

Environmental Health (Lodging Permitting)

Website: Available through city Environmental Health Department
Contact For: Health permits, establishment licensing questions

Important Source Links

Primary City Resources

Lodging Establishments Main Page: www.wichitafallstx.gov/370/Lodging-Establishments
Lodging Establishment Permitting: www.wichitafallstx.gov/2351/Lodging-Establishment-Permitting
Lodging Establishment Fees & Forms: tx-wichitafalls3.civicplus.com/2352/Lodging-Establishment-Fees-Forms
Lodging Establishment Rules & Regulations: tx-wichitafalls3.civicplus.com/2816/Lodging-Establishment-Rules-Regulations
Lodging Safety Tips: tx-wichitafalls3.civicplus.com/2877/Lodging-Safety-Tips
Bed & Breakfast Establishment: tx-wichitafalls3.civicplus.com/2353/Bed-Breakfast-Establishment

Tax and Registration Portal

STR FAQ Portal: wichitafalls.munirevs.com/faq/
Tax Filing Portal: wichitafalls.munirevs.com/

Code of Ordinances

City Code of Ordinances: ecode360.com/WI6513

State Resources

Texas Department of State Health Services: www.dshs.texas.gov/public-health-sanitation-program/hotels-motels-travel-accommodations-bed-breakfasts-public-health-sanitation-program
Texas Attorney General - Renters Rights: www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/home-real-estate-and-travel/renters-rights

General Contact Directory

City Contact Directory: www.wichitafallstx.gov/directory.aspx

Note: This guide is based on the information available in the provided web content. Investors should verify current requirements and regulations with the city directly, as municipal codes and requirements can change.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County, set in the rolling prairies of north-central Texas near the Red River. The city has a population of roughly 102,000, giving it the feel of a mid-sized regional hub rather than a big-city destination. Its identity is shaped significantly by the presence of Sheppard Air Force Base, one of the Air Force's most important technical training installations, which gives the town a steady, military-tinged rhythm and a young, transient population. Wichita Falls is also a natural gateway to outdoor recreation along the Texas-Oklahoma border country, including the sprawling reservoirs of the Red River basin. The nearest major city is the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, located approximately 110 miles to the southeast, with a typical drive of about an hour and forty-five minutes.

Just a short drive north of the city, Lake Texoma ranks among the largest reservoirs in the United States, straddling the Texas-Oklahoma border. Reached in roughly 30 to 45 minutes, the lake draws visitors for striped bass fishing, sailing, swimming beaches, and a string of state parks and marinas along its shoreline. It is the kind of regional draw that pulls weekend travelers from a wide radius, making it a meaningful amenity for a Wichita Falls base.

Right in the heart of downtown, the so-called World's Littlest Skyscraper (the Newby-McMahon Building) is one of the most photographed curiosities in North Texas. Built in 1919 after a famous swindle in which a speculator sold "floors" that did not exist, the four-story brick structure has long been a favorite stop for road-trippers and curiosity seekers passing through the city on U.S. Route 287.

Within minutes of downtown, Lucy Park lines the Wichita River and offers the kind of easy, in-town green space that appeals to families traveling with children. The park features walking trails, playgrounds, a small zoo, and access to the river, and it connects visitors directly to the namesake falls themselves, which were reconstructed in the late twentieth century after the originals washed away. A short drive west of the city, Lake Wichita provides additional shoreline for fishing, picnicking, and paddling, rounding out the local outdoor picture.

Wichita Falls makes a quietly compelling base for short-term rentals because it offers something many small Texas cities do not: a recognizable identity, a quirky marquee attraction, and quick access to a major recreational lake, all within easy striking distance of the DFW metroplex. Visitors passing through on I-44 or U.S. 287, families visiting airmen at Sheppard, and anglers heading to Lake Texoma all create overlapping demand streams, giving the market a steady mix of guest types throughout the year.