13 verified short-term rentals rules for Corpus Christi, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Corpus Christi requires all STR operators to register annually through the MuniRevs portal. The annual permit fee is $250. Operators must display their permit number in all advertisements or face fines up to $500.
STR operators must maintain proper guest behavior and address noise complaints promptly. The designated 24-hour local contact must respond within one hour. General city noise ordinance applies to all rentals.
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2)
A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy ... a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person making the noise receives n...
Corpus Christi STR operators must collect and remit 9% city hotel occupancy tax plus 6% state HOT (15% combined). The city tax is due by the 20th of each following month. Late payments incur a 15% penalty.
Tex. Tax Code Sec. 156.001(b), 156.052 (Hotel Occupancy Tax)
Sec. 156.001. DEFINITIONS. ... (b) For purposes of the imposition of a hotel occupancy tax under this chapter, Chapter 351 or 352, or other law, 'hotel' includes a short-term rental. In this subsection, 'short-term rental' means the rental of all or part of a residential property to a person who is not a permanent resident under Section 156.101. Sec. 156.052. RATE OF TAX. The rate of the tax im...
Corpus Christi STR operators must ensure appropriate guest parking and address complaints. House rules should specify where guests may park. On-street parking must comply with city parking ordinances.
Tex. Transp. Code Sec. 545.302 (Statewide Parking Restrictions)
Sec. 545.302. STOPPING, STANDING, OR PARKING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN PLACES. (a) An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle: (1) on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street; (2) on a sidewalk; (3) in an intersection; (4) on a crosswalk ... (b) An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park an occupied or un...
STR occupancy is set by the floor plan submitted during registration. Applicants must designate sleeping areas and maximum guest capacity. The limit is based on life safety and fire code requirements.
Tex. Tax Code Sec. 156.001(b)
For purposes of the imposition of a hotel occupancy tax under this chapter, Chapter 351 or 352, or other law, 'hotel' includes a short-term rental. In this subsection, 'short-term rental' means the rental of all or part of a residential property to a person who is not a permanent resident under Section 156.101.
Corpus Christi requires all STR operators to maintain a $1 million liability insurance policy during any period the property is available for rental. Proof of coverage is part of the self-certification process.
Corpus Christi does not impose a maximum-nights-per-year cap on short-term rentals. Registered Type 1 and Type 2 STRs may operate year-round with no annual night limit.
Tex. Tax Code Sec. 156.101, 156.001(b)
Sec. 156.101. EXCEPTION--PERMANENT RESIDENT. This chapter does not impose a tax on a person who has the right to use or possess a room in a hotel for at least 30 consecutive days, so long as there is no interruption of payment for the period. Sec. 156.001(b): For purposes of the imposition of a hotel occupancy tax under this chapter, Chapter 351 or 352, or other law, 'hotel' includes a short-te...
All properties rented for under 30 days must register annually through GovOS/MuniRevs. Applications require floor plans, contact info, insurance certification, and $250 fee. Permits are non-transferable.
Corpus Christi does not require owners or hosts to live on-site during short-term rental stays. Whole-home rentals on Padre Island, Mustang Island, and mainland neighborhoods operate without owner occupancy, though a designated local contact must respond to complaints.
Corpus Christi cannot limit short-term rentals to operator primary residences. Texas HB 1620 preempts city ordinances that would ban non-owner-occupied vacation rentals, protecting the Padre Island and Mustang Island whole-home rental economy.
Corpus Christi can suspend or revoke a short-term rental registration after repeated verified nuisance violations, including noise, parking, occupancy, and trash complaints. Enforcement is complaint-driven and tied to the operator's local contact response history rather than a formal three-strikes statute.
Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com collect and remit Corpus Christi 9% hotel occupancy tax on most stays under their state agreements. Hosts remain ultimately liable, must verify platform remittance, and must self-report direct bookings outside listing platforms.
Tex. Tax Code Sec. 156.051(a), 156.053
A tax is imposed on a person who, under a lease, concession, permit, right of access, license, contract, or agreement, pays for the use or possession or for the right to the use or possession of a room or space in a hotel costing $15 or more each day. ... A person owning, operating, managing, or controlling a hotel shall collect for the state the tax that is imposed by this chapter and that is ...