El Paso's STR ordinance requires operators to carry minimum $1 million liability insurance naming the property; Texas has no state STR insurance mandate, but Airbnb/Vrbo host protection does not replace primary liability coverage.
The City of El Paso adopted a Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Chapter 20.12 of the Code of Ordinances) requiring STR operators to register annually with the City, designate a local contact, and carry minimum $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance with the STR property expressly named as an insured premise. Texas has no statewide STR insurance mandate, and TX Local Gov't Code §250.006 limits how cities can restrict STRs but permits reasonable registration/insurance requirements. Standard homeowner's (HO-3) policies typically exclude commercial lodging activity; a commercial STR endorsement or dedicated dwelling-fire/commercial landlord policy is needed. Airbnb's AirCover and Vrbo's Liability Insurance provide secondary, not primary, coverage — El Paso's registration expressly requires a primary policy. Proof of insurance (certificate of liability naming City of El Paso as certificate holder) must be submitted with annual STR registration. Hotel Occupancy Tax (state 6% + city 9% = 15%) applies separately.
Operating an STR without required insurance or registration: $500-$2,000 per violation; each day of operation is a separate offense. Registration revocation possible for repeated violations, barring the property from STR use for 12+ months. Uninsured incidents may also trigger civil liability well beyond fines.
El Paso, TX
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See how El Paso's insurance requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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