Bellaire, TX Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Bellaire City Council adopted Ordinance No. 25-108 on November 17, 2025, regulating short-term rentals defined as the rental for compensation of all or part of a dwelling for a period of not more than 30 days. STRs are declared incompatible with and prohibited in residential districts, and are permitted only in mixed-use districts under a city-issued permit program. The ordinance caps overnight occupancy at two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, with a hard ceiling of 12 persons total regardless of bedroom count. Parking is limited to the property's driveway and garage capacity, life-safety equipment must be installed, and an annual fire marshal inspection is required for permit renewal. Existing STRs operating in residential districts at adoption were given 120 days to cease operations, with full compliance required by approximately March 17, 2026. The ordinance also defines platforms, sets out enforcement mechanisms, and provides permit, renewal, appeal, and revocation procedures. Violations may be punished as Class C misdemeanors at the maximum fine allowed by Texas state law, generally $500 to $2,000 per day of offense, and repeated nuisance findings can lead to permit revocation.