Short-Term Rentals in Baytown, TX (2026)
7 verified short-term rentals rules for Baytown, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Baytown does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit requirement as of 2024. Texas state law (HB 2127, effective September 2023) preempts cities from regulating short-term rentals more restrictively than state law allows. Properties used for short-term rental through Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms must comply with general property maintenance codes and hotel occupancy tax requirements.
Baytown Short-Term Rental Requirements
Few RestrictionsTex. Tax Code Sec. 351.0025 (Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax - ETJ Application to STRs)
Sec. 351.0025. EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION. (a) A municipality with a population of less than 35,000 by ordinance may impose the tax authorized under Section 351.002 in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.(b) The municipality may not impose a tax under this section if as a result of the adoption the combined rate of state, county, and municipal hotel occupancy taxes in the ex...
Noise Rules
Baytown does not have noise rules specific to short-term rentals. STR properties are subject to the same general nuisance and noise ordinance provisions in Chapter 34 that apply to all residential properties. Excessive noise, parties, and disturbances at rental properties are enforced through standard noise complaint response by Baytown PD.
Baytown Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct - includes Unreasonable Noise)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the p...
Taxes & Fees
Short-term rental operators in Baytown must collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes. The City of Baytown levies a 7% local hotel occupancy tax in addition to the 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax, for a combined 13% on short-term lodging. Operators must register with the Texas Comptroller and the City of Baytown Finance Department.
Baytown Short-Term Rental Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsTex. Tax Code Sec. 156.001 (Hotel Occupancy Tax - Short-Term Rentals Defined as Hotels)
Sec. 156.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter, "hotel" means a building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations for consideration. The term includes a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house, tourist court, lodging house, inn, rooming house, or bed and breakfast. The term does not include:(1) a hospital, sanitarium, or nursing home;(2) a dormitory or other housin...
Parking Rules
Baytown does not have parking rules specific to short-term rental properties. General residential parking regulations apply, including prohibitions on blocking sidewalks, parking on unpaved surfaces, and storing inoperable vehicles. Guests at STR properties must comply with the same street parking and residential parking rules as all residents.
Baytown Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Baytown does not impose a dedicated short-term rental occupancy cap. STR guests are governed by general Property Maintenance Code overcrowding rules and the Unified Land Development Code dwelling-unit definition rather than an STR-specific per-bedroom formula.
short-term-rentals/occupancy-limits
Few RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
Baytown does not require short-term rental hosts to carry liability insurance under city ordinance. Coverage is governed by host-platform contracts and standard Texas Department of Insurance guidance rather than a Baytown municipal mandate.
short-term-rentals/insurance-requirements
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 92.010 (Occupancy Limits)
Sec. 92.010. OCCUPANCY LIMITS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum number of adults that a landlord may allow to occupy a dwelling is three times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling.(b) A landlord may allow an occupancy rate of more than three adult tenants per bedroom:(1) to the extent that the landlord is required by a state or federal fair housing law to allow a hig...
Registration Rules
Baytown has no dedicated short-term rental registration or permit program. Operators must, however, register with the City to collect the 7% local hotel occupancy tax under Chapter 90, Article III of the Code, plus the 6% state HOT.
short-term-rentals/registration-rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Baytown city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Harris County →