Austin requires registration for short-term rentals (STRs) under City Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2, Article 4 (Short-Term Rental Ordinance). STRs are classified as Type 1 (owner-occupied), Type 2 (non-owner-occupied, non-multifamily), or Type 3 (non-owner-occupied multifamily). All types require an operating license from Austin Code Department. Long-term rentals do not require a separate rental registration. The city suspended issuing new Type 2 licenses in certain areas due to density caps.
Rental registration programs in Austin require landlords to register all rental dwelling units with the city's housing or code enforcement department. Registration involves providing owner/manager contact information, property address, number of units, and proof of compliance with building and fire codes. Annual or biennial registration fees typically range from $25–$100 per unit. Registered properties are subject to periodic inspections (every 2–5 years) verifying compliance with housing habitability standards: working smoke detectors, egress windows, electrical safety, plumbing, heating, and structural integrity. Properties that fail inspection receive corrective orders with compliance deadlines. Transfer of ownership triggers re-registration. Texas state landlord-tenant law supports local registration authority.
Failure to register: $100–$500 per unit per month. Failed inspection with no correction: $200–$1,000 per violation per month. Operating unregistered rentals: may void landlord's right to collect rent in some states.
Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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See how Austin's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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