Texas City, TX Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Host presence in Texas City, Texas is written into the bed and breakfast rule, not into a short-term rental chapter. The Code of Ordinances never uses the phrase short-term rental, and the residential lodging pathway it prints for paying overnight guests is the bed and breakfast establishment. Section 160.006 defines BED AND BREAKFAST as an owner occupied private home built more than 50 years ago and/or of historical significance, which offers lodging for paying guests, serves meals to those guests, and allows for limited social functions.

Section 160.051(C)(1)(b) lists bed and breakfast establishments among the uses that, because of their character and potential impact on public health, safety, morals and general welfare, are required to be located in District S-P, the Site Plan district. The purpose paragraph says the rule gives owners of older and historical homes in the city an incentive to continue occupancy and maintenance, and it closes with the residency test: an applicant for bed and breakfast must own and reside at the site. Owners are allowed to serve meals to paying overnight guests, attenders to social functions and tours.

Site plan review adds several gates. The Planning Board reviews every bed and breakfast site plan for appropriateness and specific development requirements. The Fire Marshal or designee inspects all bed and breakfast facilities, the facility must pass, and inspections are made on an annual basis. The Building Inspector checks the site for compliance with applicable Building Codes, each facility must comply with Ch. 11, § 11-5, Lodging or Rooming Houses and the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reviews plans for conformance to the Elimination of Architectural Barriers Act. All state and County Health District requirements must be met.