Katy Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules Rules (2026)

Short-term rentals in the City of Katy are governed by Article 4.10 of the Code of Ordinances, adopted by City Council 4-1 on March 27, 2023, which expressly states that the owner is not relieved from civil or criminal liability for a violation regardless of whether it is committed by the owner, operator, contact person, or guest. Operators must designate a 24/7 contact person and notify the city's Planning Department, Building Official, and Fire Marshal of any complaints. The substantive noise standard for STR guests is the citywide noise ordinance in Article 8.04, which prohibits any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others. Section 8.04 also makes it unlawful to operate radios, musical instruments, phonographs, or other sound-producing devices between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner plainly audible at a distance of fifty feet from the building, structure, or vehicle. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing on public streets during the same overnight hours is similarly prohibited. Katy uses a plainly-audible standard rather than a decibel meter, simplifying officer-issued citations. STR-specific violations can also lead to permit revocation under Article 4.10 after repeated code violations, and the $300 new application fee plus $200 renewal must be re-paid to restore the permit.