Short-Term Rentals in Waco, TX (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Waco, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Waco requires short-term rental operators to register with the city and obtain necessary permits before operating. STRs must comply with building, fire, and zoning codes.
Waco Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Tax Code Sec. 351.002 (Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax - Tax Authorized)
Sec. 351.002. TAX AUTHORIZED. (a) A municipality by ordinance may impose a tax 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 that is in a hotel, costs $2 or more each day, and is ordinarily used for sleeping.(b) The price of a room in a hotel does not in...
Noise Rules
Short-term rental guests in Waco must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Operators are responsible for ensuring guests do not disturb neighbors, particularly during nighttime hours.
Waco Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2) (Disorderly Conduct - Unreasonable Noise)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) 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 ... (c) For purposes of this section: ... (2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the no...
Taxes & Fees
Waco requires short-term rental operators to collect and remit hotel occupancy tax (HOT) on all stays under 30 days. The combined state and local rate applies to all STR bookings.
Waco Short-Term Rental Taxes & Fees
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Tax Code Sec. 156.001 (Hotel Occupancy Tax - Definitions; includes bed and breakfast and tourist home)
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
Waco requires short-term rental properties to provide adequate off-street parking for guests. Overflow parking on residential streets must comply with the city's street parking ordinances.
Waco Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Transportation Code Sec. 545.302 (Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places)
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;(5) between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite th...
Occupancy Limits
Waco caps STR occupancy at 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults per rental unit. In R-E, R-1A, R-1B, and R-1C residential zones, no more than 4 unrelated individuals may occupy an STR Type I/II or BBHE at any time.
short-term-rentals/occupancy-limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
Waco's STR ordinance (Chapter 13, Article VIII) does not set a specific minimum liability insurance dollar amount for short-term rental licensing. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude commercial rental activity, so STR-specific liability coverage is strongly recommended.