Occupancy Limits: Bellaire vs Deer Park

How many guests can stay at a Bellaire short-term rental?

Two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, with a hard maximum of 12 persons under Ordinance 25-108.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Bellaire neighborhoods?

No. STRs are prohibited in all residential districts. They are allowed only in mixed-use districts under a permit issued by the City.

When did the new rules take effect?

Ordinance 25-108 was adopted November 17, 2025. Existing residential STRs were given 120 days to cease, with the compliance deadline around March 17, 2026.

What are the penalties for violating the STR ordinance?

Violations are punishable by the maximum fine allowed by Texas state law, generally $500 to $2,000 per day, and repeated violations can lead to permit revocation.

Does Deer Park cap how many guests can stay in an Airbnb?

Not through a dedicated STR ordinance. Occupancy is governed by the International Property Maintenance Code's minimum-area-per-occupant rules and the zoning ordinance's single-family dwelling definition.

Can the city act against a high-occupancy STR?

Yes, indirectly. Code enforcement may cite the host if IPMC overcrowding standards are exceeded or if the use violates the residential zoning district's one-household dwelling-unit definition.

Do HOA or deed restrictions apply?

Yes. Private covenants in many Deer Park subdivisions may set stricter occupancy or transient-use limits than the City Code and are enforced privately by the HOA.