Occupancy Limits: Baytown vs Houston
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Baytown, TX and Houston, TX?
Baytown has fewer restrictions than Houston.
Baytown, TX
Harris County
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.
View full Baytown rules →Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston's 2025 STR ordinance (Chapter 28, Art. XXIII) regulates short-term rentals citywide. The ordinance defines STRs as dwellings rented for less than 30 consecutive days and requires a certificate of registration. Specific occupancy caps are tied to the property's capacity as determined during registration.
View full Houston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Baytown | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated STR Cap | None | - |
| Applies | IPMC overcrowding rules | - |
| ULDC Use | Single-household dwelling unit | - |
| HOA/Deed | Private enforcement | - |
| State Layer | Tex. LGC Ch. 250 | - |
| Contact | Development Services 281-420-6500 | - |
| Ordinance | - | Houston Code Ch. 28, Art. XXIII (adopted April 2025) |
| Registration Fee | - | $275 + $33.10 admin fee, renewed annually |
| Events | - | Special events at STRs prohibited |
| Enforcement Start | - | January 1, 2026 |
| Penalty | - | $100-$500/day for unregistered operation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Baytown FAQ
Does Baytown limit how many guests can stay in an Airbnb?
Not through a dedicated STR formula. Occupancy is governed by the International Property Maintenance Code's minimum-area-per-occupant rules adopted in Chapter 18 of the City Code.
Can the city shut down a high-occupancy short-term rental?
Code enforcement may act if IPMC overcrowding standards are exceeded or if the use violates the ULDC's single-household dwelling-unit definition.
Do HOA rules matter?
Yes. HOA covenants and deed restrictions may set stricter occupancy limits than the City Code and are enforced privately by the association.
Houston FAQ
Does Houston have a maximum occupancy for short-term rentals?
The ordinance does not set a specific guest count but requires compliance with building code occupancy limits. STRs may not host special events or be used as event venues.
When did Houston start regulating short-term rentals?
Houston City Council approved the STR ordinance in April 2025, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2026. Registration opened October 1, 2025.
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