Lake Bryan, TX

Brazos County does NOT require a county-level permit, license, or registration to operate a short-term rental in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no general STR-licensing authority, and HB 2127 (2023, Texas Regulatory Consistency Act) further preempts much local STR regulation. STR operators must, however, collect and remit the 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax. Inside Bryan and College Station, separate municipal STR registration and HOT collection rules apply.

Brazos County does NOT impose a county hotel occupancy tax on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. STR operators must collect the 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax under Tex. Tax Code Chapter 156 for stays under 30 days. Inside Bryan and College Station, an additional 7% city HOT applies.

Brazos County does NOT set occupancy caps for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Tex. Loc. Gov. Code §233.153 prohibits county zoning over single-family residential, and there is no county STR ordinance. Effective occupancy is limited only by septic (OSSF) capacity under 30 TAC Ch. 285 and the International Property Maintenance Code minimums where adopted by city.

Brazos County does NOT impose parking requirements for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Tex. Loc. Gov. Code §233.153 bars county zoning, and there is no county STR ordinance. Parking is limited only by the Brazos County Subdivision Regulations on private/public road frontage and by city STR overlays inside Bryan and College Station.

Under Texas Local Government Code §352.051, the Brazos County Commissioners Court may restrict 'skyrockets with sticks' and 'missiles with fins' in unincorporated areas during drought conditions (KBDI 575+). Texas Local Government Code §352.953 prohibits fireworks within 5,000 feet of Bryan and College Station city limits, and violations can carry fines up to $2,500. Brazos County issued a 60-day burn ban on February 24, 2026 (effective through April 25, 2026) due to high fire dangers.

Brazos County does NOT regulate residential fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code §233.153 prohibits counties from adopting zoning regulations or requiring prior approval before residential construction. Texas Property Code §§26.001–26.003 govern boundary fence disputes between neighbors but set no height cap. Inside the cities of Bryan and College Station, municipal zoning ordinances apply (typically 6 ft side/rear, 4 ft front).

Brazos County does NOT have its own noise ordinance or codified quiet hours for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general police power to enact noise ordinances and must rely on state criminal law. Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) makes 'unreasonable noise' a Class C misdemeanor disorderly-conduct offense, but only after a peace officer or magistrate provides prior warning. Cities of Bryan and College Station set their own quiet hours.

Brazos County does NOT have a countywide leash ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas Health & Safety Code §822.042 imposes confinement and restraint duties on owners of 'dangerous dogs,' and §822.044 makes attacks by an unrestrained dangerous dog a Class C misdemeanor (Class B if bodily injury results). Texas HB 4164 / Safe Outdoor Dogs Act (2021) sets statewide tethering rules. Cities of Bryan and College Station enforce local leash ordinances inside city limits.

Brazos County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces a Flood Prevention Ordinance for all unincorporated areas. A Floodplain Development Permit (Certification of Compliance) from the County Road & Bridge Department is required before any construction in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area along the Brazos River, Navasota River, and their tributaries. Oil & gas pads in the SFHA require a $500 permit fee and pipelines must be buried at least 48 inches deep (72 inches under rivers and creeks).