Killeen ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) provided owner-occupancy is maintained per the typical SUP condition under Code Ch. 31. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are heavily regulated under Killeen Code Sec. 31-953, which requires an annual permit ($200 first year / $100 renewal), $500,000 liability insurance, a 12-person occupancy cap (2 per bedroom + 1), a 200-foot separation between STRs, and 7% city HOT plus 6% state and 2% Bell County HOT (about 15% combined).
Long-term rental (30 days or more) of an ADU is permitted in Killeen provided the property owner continues to occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU as required by the Specific Use Permit condition under Code Ch. 31 and the recorded deed restriction. Short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive days) of any residential property, including ADUs, are regulated under Killeen Code Sec. 31-953, effective Oct. 1, 2023, with registration that began May 1, 2024. The STR program requires an annual permit ($200 first year including pre-issuance inspection, $100 renewal), $500,000 liability insurance with personal-injury coverage, a designated 24/7 responsible party, and submission through the city's third-party vendor Avenu. Occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom plus one additional person, with a hard ceiling of 12 persons total. A 200-foot separation between permitted STRs applies one year after the ordinance effective date. Hotel Occupancy Tax of 7% city (the Tex. Tax Code Ch. 351 statutory maximum), 6% state (Tex. Tax Code Ch. 156), and 2% Bell County applies — about 15% combined on stays under 30 days. Permits are non-transferable on sale. Whether an ADU can be the sole STR on a property depends on the underlying SUP terms; most ADU SUPs limit use to long-term residential, and using the ADU as an STR while the main house remains owner-occupied may be permissible but requires the STR permit. The Fort Cavazos transient-lodging market drives substantial STR demand; Texas state law has not preempted Killeen's STR registration regime.
Operating an unregistered STR violates Sec. 31-953 and is enforceable through municipal court. Code Enforcement (254-501-7608) handles permit and zoning complaints. Texas Local Government Code § 54.001 supports civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for health-and-safety violations and $500 per day for general zoning. Failure to remit HOT triggers state collection action and penalties (5% / 10% under Tex. Tax Code Ch. 156).
Killeen, TX
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