Permit Requirements: Fulshear vs Stafford

The City of Fulshear has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental (STR) registration, licensing, or permit ordinance in its Code of Ordinances (available through Municode at library.municode.com/tx/fulshear). No city-level Airbnb or vacation-rental permit is currently required to operate an STR within Fulshear's corporate limits. Operators are still subject to Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 (state Hotel Occupancy Tax, 6% on stays under 30 days) and to the Fort Bend County hotel occupancy tax adopted under Tax Code Chapter 352 (effective October 1, 2024, with full enforcement of bookings beginning May 1, 2025). General Fulshear ordinances - zoning, nuisance, noise, parking, occupancy and building/fire codes - continue to apply to STR properties even though no STR-specific permit exists. HOA covenants in master-planned communities such as Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear Run, Cross Creek West, and Tamarron frequently restrict or prohibit short-term rentals independently of city law.

Stafford requires every rental property, including short-term rentals, to register annually with the city, pass an inspection, and obtain a one-year permit before operating.