Travis County has no rental registration program for unincorporated areas. County authority over rental housing is limited under Texas law. The City of Austin operates a separate Repeat Offender Program for rental properties within city limits.
Texas counties lack general police power to require rental registration. Landlords in unincorporated Travis County are subject only to state-level Texas Property Code Chapter 92 habitability requirements and federal Fair Housing Act compliance. Within Austin city limits, Chapter 25-12 of the Austin City Code administers rental housing inspections and the Repeat Offender Program targeting properties with recurring code violations. HOT tax collection applies only to short-term rentals, not long-term residential leases.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Travis County's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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