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Short-Term Rentals

Brownsville's Relaxed Approach to Short-Term Rentals: What's Allowed

By CityRuleLookup

Brownsville maintains 64 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Brownsville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Occupancy Limits

Brownsville's STR ordinance, adopted November 12, 2024, requires every short-term rental (under 30 days) to be permitted by the City. The permit application requires a floor plan and site map showing the layout, exits, and parking, and overnight occupancy is limited based on bedrooms and applicable fire-code capacity.

Key details: Ordinance Adopted: Nov. 12, 2024. STR Definition: Rental under 30 days. Permit Required: Yes, before listing. Occupancy Basis: Bedrooms + fire code. Floor Plan: Required with application.

Hosting more guests overnight than the approved floor plan supports, operating without a city STR permit, or failing to display the permit in the unit can lead to citations, denial or revocation of the permit, and back-assessment of unpaid Hotel Occupancy Tax plus interest under Tax Code Chapter 351.

Brownsville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to occupancy limits. That said, there are still limits.

Taxes & Fees

Brownsville STR operators must collect and remit the city Hotel Occupancy Tax and the Texas state Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%). The combined rate applies to all stays under 30 consecutive days.

Key details: State HOT: 6% Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax. City HOT: City rate on top of state tax. Combined: Approximately 13-15% total. Filing: Quarterly reporting required.

Failure to collect or remit HOT results in penalties, interest, and potential legal action from both the city and the Texas Comptroller.

Brownsville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to taxes & fees. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Brownsville gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Brownsville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.