Occupancy Limits: Deer Park vs Houston
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Deer Park, TX and Houston, TX?
Deer Park has fewer restrictions than Houston.
Deer Park, TX
Harris County
Deer Park has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental occupancy ordinance, so STR guest counts are governed by the city's adopted International Property Maintenance Code overcrowding rules and the zoning ordinance dwelling-unit definition rather than an STR-specific per-bedroom guest cap.
View full Deer Park 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 | Deer Park | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated STR Cap | None | - |
| Applies | IPMC overcrowding rules | - |
| Zoning Use | Single-family one household | - |
| HOA/Deed | Private enforcement | - |
| State Layer | Tex. LGC Ch. 250 | - |
| Contact | Planning 281-478-7247 | - |
| 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.
Deer Park FAQ
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.
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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