Bell County does not set occupancy limits for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no zoning or building-code authority over single-family dwellings (Tex. Loc. Gov. Code Ch. 232). Inside Killeen, Temple, Belton, or other city limits, that city's STR or housing code applies.
Bell County's Engineer FAQ states explicitly: 'If you are building in the unincorporated areas of the County (that is, you are not located within any of the cities located in Bell County) there is no building permit, building code or zoning with which you must comply.' Tex. Loc. Gov. Code Ch. 232 limits county authority to subdivision platting, drainage, and on-site sewage β not to dwelling occupancy. There is no Bell County STR registration program and no county-imposed maximum guests, occupants-per-bedroom, or maximum-overnight-guest cap. The only occupancy-related limits that apply in unincorporated Bell County come from: (a) the on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permit through the Bell County Public Health District, which sizes the septic system to the number of bedrooms; (b) HOA or subdivision deed restrictions; and (c) International Property Maintenance Code minimum-room-size standards if voluntarily adopted by a city. Inside city limits, look to that city's STR ordinance β Killeen, Temple, and Belton each have separate code sections.
No county occupancy enforcement. Septic overload from exceeding the OSSF design capacity may trigger Bell County Public Health District enforcement. HOA limits are enforced privately. Inside city limits, the city enforces its own STR caps.
Bell County, TX
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Bell County, TX
Bell County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority outside ETJ. Subdivision regulations (adopted 2001,...
Bell County, TX
Bell County Commissioners passed an ordinance on Feb 7, 2011 to control stray dogs and cats in unincorporated areas, enforced by the Sheriff's Office Animal ...
Bell County, TX
Bell County Commissioners Court may restrict 'restricted fireworks' (skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins) in the unincorporated county under Texas ...
Bell County, TX
Bell County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces the Bell County Flood Damage Prevention Order, originally adopted by Com...
Bell County, TX
Bell County does NOT regulate fencing for single-family residential pools in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county buil...
See how Bell County's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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