San Marcos, TX Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Rentals of 30+ continuous days
- Registration term
- 1 year, renewable
- Owner-occupied exemption
- Yes, unless repeat citations
- Max fine
- $2,000 per violation/day
Summary
San Marcos requires owners to register any long-term rental unit with the city before renting it out for 30 or more continuous days.
(a) Registration required. Long term Rental registration shall be required before renting any rental units located in the City of San Marcos for a continuous period of 30 days or more. Application for long term rental registration shall be made upon a form prescribed by the City of San Marcos for such purpose.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 34.821 of the San Marcos Code of Ordinances, registration is mandatory before renting any unit for a continuous period of 30 days or more, using a city-prescribed application form that discloses the owner's identity, the property's zoning classification, unit count and occupancy, and a 24-hour emergency contact. Owner-occupied properties are exempt unless two or more citations are issued at that address within a 12-month period. Registrations run one year and must be renewed; operating an unregistered rental unit is a violation under Sec. 34.823.
Violations & Fines
Class C misdemeanor; fine up to $2,000 plus court costs per Sec. 34.823, with each day of violation a separate offense; the director may also suspend a registration under Sec. 34.832.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all San Marcos rentals need to register?
What happens if a rental isn't registered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas rental property rules overview
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