Hidalgo County does not set occupancy limits for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no zoning authority (Loc. Gov. Code Ch. 232 limits county power to subdivisions and platting). Cities such as McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, and Mission set their own STR occupancy caps inside city limits.
Texas Local Government Code Chapters 232 and 233 do not grant counties general zoning or land-use authority over single-family residential property in unincorporated areas. As a result, Hidalgo County has no ordinance setting maximum guest counts, persons-per-bedroom ratios, or daytime/overnight occupancy caps for STRs. The default reference points are the International Property Maintenance Code (often 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, where adopted) and any septic (OSSF) capacity limits — Texas on-site sewage facility rules require system sizing based on bedroom count, which effectively constrains long-term occupancy through Texas Administrative Code Title 30 Ch. 285. Inside incorporated cities, the city's STR or zoning ordinance may set explicit guest limits (for example, McAllen and Edinburg have municipal codes that govern lodging uses). Recorded subdivision plat restrictions and HOA covenants in colonias and master-planned subdivisions can also impose occupancy or use limits enforceable in civil court under Property Code Ch. 202.
No county penalty for STR occupancy in unincorporated areas. OSSF (septic) overload can trigger Texas Commission on Environmental Quality enforcement and county Environmental Health citations. HOA and deed-restriction violations are enforced through private civil action.
Hidalgo County, TX
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Hidalgo County, TX
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Hidalgo County, TX
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Hidalgo County, TX
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Hidalgo County, TX
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Hidalgo County, TX
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