Registration Rules: Houston vs Pasadena

Do I need to register my Houston Airbnb with the city?

Yes. Houston Ordinance 2025-322 (Chapter 28 Article XXIII) took effect January 1, 2026 and requires every short-term rental within city limits to hold an annual certificate of registration issued by the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department. The fee is $275 per year and applies to both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs renting for under 30 consecutive days.

What documents do I need to apply for a Houston STR certificate?

ARA's STR application requires registrant identification, property address, a 24-hour emergency contact, listing platform URLs, proof of Hotel Occupancy Tax registration, property owner authorization or a current lease, and a completion certificate for an approved human trafficking awareness training. Apply at houstontx.gov/ara/str.html or contact str@houstontx.gov / 832-394-8802.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Pasadena, TX?

No. Pasadena, TX does not have a short-term rental permit or registration ordinance. The city's hotel/motel rules in Chapter 34 apply to 60+ unit hotels on highway frontage, not to single-family STRs.

Do I owe hotel occupancy tax on Airbnb stays in Pasadena, TX?

Yes. Stays under 30 days are subject to the city's 7% hotel occupancy tax under Sec. 34-32 plus the 6% state HOT under Texas Tax Code Chapter 156. Quarterly reports go to the City Assessor-Collector.

Is Pasadena, TX the same as Pasadena, CA for STR rules?

No. Pasadena, California has a detailed STR permit program under Ordinance 7317. Pasadena, Texas (a non-zoned Harris County city) has no equivalent ordinance.