Bell County, TX Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Bell County's Commissioners Court has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance, and Texas counties generally lack the zoning authority that cities use to license STRs. The Bell County Subdivision Regulations and Flood Damage Prevention Order — the principal county land-use instruments — do not address STR operation. STRs in unincorporated Bell County are therefore subject only to state-law obligations: state hotel occupancy tax (6 percent) under Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 for stays of less than 30 consecutive days, plus federal income tax. The City of Belton adopted a Short-Term Rental Ordinance on March 13, 2023, requiring an annual permit (1-year term) issued by the city; renewal is the property owner's responsibility. Other Bell County cities — Killeen, Temple, and Harker Heights — have their own STR rules; check with the city directly if your property is inside city limits or its ETJ for platting purposes. Note that Texas H.B. 2127 (88R, 2023, the 'Death Star' preemption bill) was largely struck down at the trial-court level and its scope has been litigated; municipal STR ordinances generally remain in force.