Occupancy Limits: Houston vs La Porte
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Houston, TX and La Porte, TX?
La Porte has fewer restrictions than Houston.
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 →La Porte, TX
Harris County
La Porte does not impose a dedicated short-term rental occupancy cap. The City confirms it does not currently regulate short-term rentals, so guest counts fall under general property maintenance overcrowding rules and the Chapter 106 zoning definition of a dwelling unit rather than an STR-specific per-bedroom formula.
View full La Porte rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Houston | La Porte |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Dedicated STR Cap | - | None |
| City Position | - | Not currently regulated |
| Applies | - | IPMC overcrowding rules |
| Zoning Chapter | - | Ch. 106 dwelling-unit definition |
| HOA/Deed | - | Private enforcement |
| State Layer | - | Tex. LGC Ch. 250 |
| Contact | - | Planning planning@laportetx.gov |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
La Porte FAQ
Does La Porte cap how many guests can stay in a short-term rental?
No. The City does not currently regulate short-term rentals. Occupancy is governed indirectly by the International Property Maintenance Code's minimum-area-per-occupant rules.
Can the City act against a high-occupancy STR?
Yes, indirectly. Code Enforcement may cite IPMC overcrowding or a Chapter 106 zoning violation if the use exceeds a single-family dwelling unit.
Do HOA rules matter?
Yes. Many La Porte subdivisions have deed restrictions or HOA covenants that cap occupancy or prohibit short-term rentals altogether, enforced privately.
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