Short-Term Rental Regulations in Texas (TX)
Texas has a moderate level of short-term rental regulation. Some restrictions. No statewide STR registration is required. No state-level license is needed. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit taxes. Texas has no statewide STR law. State hotel occupancy tax of 6% applies. Platforms collect and remit. Cities can impose local hotel taxes up to 7%. Some cities (Austin, Dallas) have enacted STR regulations. The Texas legislature has considered STR preemption bills.
Full Requirements Summary
Texas has 0 key regulatory requirements at the state level.
| Requirement | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| STRs Allowed | Yes | Short-term rentals are legal |
| Statewide Law | No | No statewide STR law; local regulation |
| Registration Required | No | No state registration needed |
| License Required | No | No state-level license |
| Primary Residence Only | No | Investment properties allowed |
| Maximum Nights/Year | No limit | No annual night limit at state level |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum | No minimum stay requirement |
| Host Presence Required | No | Un-hosted stays allowed |
| Insurance Required | No | No state insurance mandate |
| Safety Inspection | No | No state-required inspection |
| Platform Tax Collection | Yes | Platforms collect and remit taxes |
City-Level STR Regulations in Texas
Rules diverge across Texas: Austin is the strictest of the 5 cities we track (heavy), while Houston is the most permissive (light).
| City | Restriction Level | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | Heavy | STR license required (Type 1: owner-occupied, Type 2: non-owner-occupied, Type 3: non-owner in residential). Type 2 licenses in residential zones phased out. Hotel tax of 15% combined. |
| Dallas | Moderate | STR registration required. Zoning restrictions in some residential areas. Hotel tax applies. Annual renewal. |
| San Antonio | Moderate | STR registration required. Must comply with any applicable zoning. Hotel tax applies. |
| Fort Worth | Moderate | STR registration required. Zoning compliance. Hotel tax applies. |
| Houston | Light | No zoning (unique in US). STR hotel tax applies. Relatively permissive. Must register for hotel tax. |
How Texas Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of Texas with five states that have similar STR regulation levels. This helps illustrate where Texas stands nationally in terms of short-term rental friendliness.
| State | Restriction Level | Registration | License | Night Cap | Platform Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (TX) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Colorado (CO) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Florida (FL) | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| Georgia (GA) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Illinois (IL) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Louisiana (LA) | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas STR Regulations
Can I legally operate an Airbnb in Texas?
Yes, short-term rentals are legal in Texas. No state-level registration is required, though your city may have its own requirements. The state's overall restriction level is moderate.
Does Airbnb collect taxes in Texas?
Yes, Texas has a platform accountability law. Airbnb and other platforms collect and remit applicable state and/or local taxes on behalf of hosts.
Which city in Texas has the strictest Airbnb rules?
Among the cities we track, Austin has the most restrictive STR regulations in Texas with a heavy restriction level. STR license required (Type 1: owner-occupied, Type 2: non-owner-occupied, Type 3: non-owner in residential). Type 2 licenses in residential zones phased out. Hotel tax of 15% combined.
Check Another State or City
Use our STR regulation lookup tool to find the exact rules for your specific city in Texas, or browse all 50 states to compare short-term rental friendliness across the country.