10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Cameron County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Cameron County does not zone or license short-term rentals in unincorporated areas — Texas counties have no general zoning power. Permits are a city matter. South Padre Island requires every STR to hold an annual city license before advertising.
Cameron County has no STR-specific noise rule; noise is enforced by cities. South Padre Island applies quiet hours to rentals — stricter limits in Districts A and E after 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends until 7 a.m. — and STR operators must notify guests.
Cameron County levies a county Hotel Occupancy Tax under Texas Tax Code Ch. 352, authorized because it borders the Gulf of Mexico. The tax may not exceed 7% of the room price. On South Padre Island the total tax stacks: 6% state + county + 10.5% city.
Tex. Tax Code §§ 352.002(a), 352.003(a)
The commissioners courts of the following counties by the adoption of an order or resolution may impose a tax on a person who … pays for the use or possession … of a room that is in a hotel, costs $2 or more each day, and is ordinarily used for sleeping: … (6) a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico. The tax … may be imposed at any rate not to exceed seven percent of the price paid for a room ...
Cameron County sets no STR parking rule — parking is regulated by cities. On South Padre Island, STR vehicles may not block driveways, fire lanes, hydrants, or traffic, and overnight parking in city-owned lots is no longer allowed.
Cameron County sets no STR occupancy limit — it can't zone. Limits are a city rule. South Padre Island generally allows about two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, and prohibits large events or commercial gatherings at rentals.
Cameron County imposes no STR insurance requirement. South Padre Island's ordinance centers on licensing, taxes, safety, and a responsive local contact rather than mandating a specific liability policy, though hosts are strongly advised to carry coverage given coastal risks.
Cameron County sets no annual night cap on short-term rentals, and cannot. South Padre Island — a year-round tourism market — imposes no cap on the number of rented nights either; STRs may operate all year provided they stay licensed and remit taxes.
Cameron County has no registration program for short-term rentals. On South Padre Island, every owner advertising a rental of under 30 days must register the unit with the City and renew annually; the $125 license carries a permit number that must appear in all ads.
Cameron County has no host-presence rule for STRs. Instead of requiring an on-site host, South Padre Island requires a designated local contact available 24/7 who responds to complaints from city officials within one hour.
Cameron County imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals, and it can't — Texas counties don't zone. South Padre Island does not restrict STRs to primary residences either; whole-home investment rentals are permitted if licensed.
1 cities in Cameron County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Cameron County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cameron County Ordinance Hub →