Short-Term Rentals in Round Rock, TX

Round Rock maintains 49 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Round Rock falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Short-term rental owners in Round Rock must register annually with the city, pay a $35 initial fee (or $25 to renew before Jan. 1), and remit a combined 9% hotel occupancy and venue tax on rental receipts each month.

Key details: Initial registration fee: $35. Annual renewal fee: $25, due before Jan. 1. Combined tax rate: 9% (7% HOT + 2% venue). Registration scope: one registration per property. Covered stays: rentals under 30 consecutive days.

Renting or advertising an unregistered short-term rental violates the Round Rock Code of Ordinances and triggers city enforcement action; late Hotel Occupancy Tax payments separately add 5-15% penalties plus 10% interest after day 60.

Occupancy Limits

Round Rock does not publish a fixed numeric occupancy cap per bedroom for short-term rentals. STR applicants must submit a detailed floor plan showing sleeping arrangements and proposed occupancy as part of the Temporary Use Permit (TUP), which is reviewed case-by-case by the Zoning Administrator.

Key details: Numeric Per-Bedroom Cap: None published: set per application. Floor Plan Required: Yes: sleeping arrangements and occupancy. Permit: Temporary Use Permit (TUP). Application Fee: $50. Authority: Ordinance 20160223-A.1; Zoning Admin..

Operating an STR without an approved TUP, or exceeding the occupancy approved on the floor plan, can result in revocation of the permit and Class C misdemeanor citations up to $2,000 per day under city enforcement.

The rules around occupancy limits in Round Rock lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Taxes & Fees

STR operators in Round Rock must collect Texas state Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) plus Round Rock's local HOT. Combined tax applies to all rentals under 30 days.

Key details: State HOT: 6% (TX H&S Code §156). Local HOT: Additional city rate applies. Registration: TX Comptroller + Round Rock Finance. Applies To: Stays under 30 consecutive days.

Failure to collect/remit HOT results in back taxes plus penalty of 15% and interest. Criminal penalties possible for willful evasion.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Round Rock applies standard residential parking rules to STR properties. Guest vehicles must not block driveways, sidewalks, or fire hydrants. Street parking follows city-wide rules.

Key details: STR-Specific Parking Rule: None: standard residential rules apply. Street Parking: Permitted unless posted. Prohibited: Sidewalk, yard, blocking driveways. Enforcement: Code Enforcement / RPD.

Parking violations: fines per Round Rock parking code. Chronic parking issues at STR can affect license renewal.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Round Rock gives residents more flexibility on short-term rental parking rules.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Round Rock gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 2 of the 4 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.

This guide is based on Round Rock's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.