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

Wichita Falls has not adopted a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District permits lodging establishments under Code of Ordinances Ch. 18, but those rules apply to hotels, motels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and similar establishments with 7 or more guest rooms within the city limits, which excludes most whole-home Airbnb/VRBO rentals. The city imposes no STR-specific guest cap such as a '2 per bedroom + 2' rule. Functional occupancy is set by (1) International Residential Code provisions adopted through the Building Inspections Division, including bedroom egress windows and minimum bedroom area; (2) sanitary sewer or on-site septic capacity for properties served by an OSSF, where Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 30 TAC Ch. 285 sizes systems by bedroom count; and (3) any private deed restrictions or HOA covenants on the property. Operators must register with the Texas Comptroller for the 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax and register with the city for the 9% city HOT through the munirevs portal, but registration triggers no occupancy review. Bed-and-breakfast operations are zoned separately under the Zoning Ordinance B&B regulations (Appx. B), which limit guest rooms and require owner occupancy in residential districts.