Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Bexar County cannot limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Texas HB 1620 (2025) preempts any local rule that bans non-owner-occupied or investment-property STRs in unincorporated areas.
12 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bexar County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Bexar County has no STR registration or permitting requirements — Texas counties cannot zone or regulate land use. Only state hotel occupancy tax collection applies. Properties in San Antonio's ETJ may face some city requirements.
Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (Chapter 156, Tax Code; Chapter 352, Tax Code - County)
Hotel owners, operators or managers must collect state hotel occupancy tax from their guests who rent a room or space in a hotel costing $15 or more each day. The tax applies not only to hotels and motels, but also to bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses. Local hotel taxes apply to sleeping rooms costing $2 or more each day. [...] Persons leasing their houses must collect hot...
Unincorporated Bexar County uses TX Penal Code 42.01 for unreasonable noise. San Antonio STRs face 63 dB daytime, 56 dB nighttime limits with escalating fines for repeat violators.
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct - Unreasonable Noise)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the p...
Bexar County collects 1.75% HOT on STR stays under 30 days. Combined with 6% state and 9% San Antonio HOT, San Antonio STRs face 16.75% total lodging tax.
Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (Chapter 156, Tax Code)
Hotel Occupancy Tax Who is responsible for this tax? Hotel owners, operators or managers must collect state hotel occupancy tax from their guests who rent a room or space in a hotel costing $15 or more each day. The tax applies not only to hotels and motels, but also to bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses. Local hotel taxes apply to sleeping rooms costing $2 or more each day...
Unincorporated Bexar County has no STR parking rules. San Antonio requires 1 off-street space per bedroom and prohibits blocking driveways or hydrants. Violations trigger fines and permit revocation.
Tex. Transp. Code Sec. 545.302 (Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places)
Sec. 545.302. STOPPING, STANDING, OR PARKING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN PLACES. (a) An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle:(1) on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;(2) on a sidewalk;(3) in an intersection;(4) on a crosswalk;(5) between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite th...
San Antonio caps STR occupancy at 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, max 12 total. Unincorporated Bexar County has no cap but septic and deed restrictions may limit counts.
Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.010 (Occupancy Limits)
Sec. 92.010. OCCUPANCY LIMITSGoReset Texas Constitution and Statutes chevron_right Texas Constitution chevron_right Agriculture Code chevron_right Alcoholic Beverage Code chevron_right Auxiliary Water Laws chevron_right Business & Commerce Code chevron_right Business Organizations Code chevron_right Civil Practice and Remedies Code chevron_right Code of Criminal Procedure chevron_right Educati...
Bexar County does not require STR liability insurance. San Antonio requires 500,000 dollars commercial liability coverage as part of the STR permit application under city code Chapter 15.
Bexar County has no STR night cap in unincorporated areas. San Antonio limits Type 2 non-owner-occupied STRs to 12.5% of any residential block face. No Texas statewide STR preemption exists.
Unincorporated Bexar County does not require short-term rental hosts to live on-site or be present during guest stays. Texas HB 1620 (2025) bars counties from imposing host-presence mandates on STR operators.
Bexar County cannot limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Texas HB 1620 (2025) preempts any local rule that bans non-owner-occupied or investment-property STRs in unincorporated areas.
Bexar County has no three-strikes or escalating-penalty system for repeat short-term rental code violators. Enforcement is limited to nuisance, septic, and noise complaints handled by the Sheriff's Office and Public Works.
Bexar County does not impose liability on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other booking platforms for unincorporated host violations. Texas HB 1620 (2025) restricts local rules that hold platforms responsible for individual property compliance.
Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (Chapter 156, Tax Code)
Hotel owners, operators or managers must collect state hotel occupancy tax from their guests who rent a room or space in a hotel costing $15 or more each day. The tax applies not only to hotels and motels, but also to bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses. Local hotel taxes apply to sleeping rooms costing $2 or more each day. With the numerous sporting and entertainment events...
4 cities in Bexar County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Insurance Requirements
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
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