Occupancy Limits: Missouri City vs Richmond
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Missouri City, TX and Richmond, TX?
Richmond has fewer restrictions than Missouri City.
Missouri City, TX
Fort Bend County
Missouri City limits residential occupancy to families plus a small number of unrelated persons, restricting how many guests a short-term rental may host.
View full Missouri City rules βRichmond, TX
Fort Bend County
Richmond TX has no STR-specific occupancy cap. Guest counts are bounded by International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) habitable-floor-area minimums and IRC/IFC fire-egress rules adopted through the Unified Development Code. STR-length stays (under 30 days) are taxable hotel use under Tex. Tax Code Sec. 156.001; the Fort Bend County HOT inside city limits is 2% (effective Oct. 1, 2024).
View full Richmond rules βKey Facts Comparison
| Fact | Missouri City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Single housekeeping unit | - |
| Unrelated cap | Limited group only | - |
| Standard | Bedrooms and square footage | - |
| Code | Zoning Appendix A | - |
| STR-Specific Cap | - | None |
| IPMC Floor-Area Min | - | ~150 sq ft first occupant |
| Sleeping Room Min | - | ~70 sq ft (1 person), +50 sq ft each |
| Egress | - | IRC/IFC emergency escape openings |
| Combined HOT Inside City | - | 8% (6% state + 2% Fort Bend Co.) |
| Rental Registration | - | Required (effective Jan. 1, 2023) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Missouri City FAQ
How many guests can stay?
The maximum depends on bedrooms and square footage under city housing standards, plus the city's family definition limiting unrelated occupants.
Are children counted in occupancy?
Local property maintenance standards count all occupants, though specific bedroom and square-foot ratios determine the lawful maximum.
Richmond FAQ
How many guests can stay at a Richmond TX short-term rental?
Richmond has no STR-specific guest cap. Occupancy is bounded by the International Property Maintenance Code adopted through the Unified Development Code (about 150 sq ft for the first occupant, 100 sq ft per additional, with per-bedroom minimums) and by fire-code egress requirements.
Do I need a city permit to rent my Richmond TX home short-term?
Richmond has not adopted an STR-specific ordinance, but a residential rental registration ordinance effective January 1, 2023 requires owner-occupied rental and multifamily rental properties to register with the Building Department. Operators must also collect and remit the 6% state HOT and the 2% Fort Bend County HOT inside city limits.
Can my Richmond TX HOA cap how many guests can stay?
Yes. Pecan Grove Plantation, Long Meadow Farms, Briarwood Crossing, Walnut Creek, and Veranda deed restrictions commonly impose minimum lease terms and overnight-guest limits enforceable in district court under Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 209, regardless of whether the city imposes an occupancy cap.
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