Bellaire, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Bellaire, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Residential Districts
- STRs prohibited
- Mixed-Use (CMU)
- Permitted with annual permit
- Inspection
- Annual fire marshal required
- Phase-In Deadline
- May 16, 2026
- Contact
- (713) 662-8222 Development Services
Summary
Bellaire adopted a strict short-term rental ordinance in late 2025 that prohibits STRs of 30 days or fewer in all residential zoning districts. STRs are only permitted in certain mixed-use areas with an annual permit, fire marshal inspection, and compliance with occupancy and parking requirements. Existing operators had until May 16, 2026 to wind down.
On November 17, 2025, Bellaire City Council adopted Ordinance No. 25-108, regulating short-term rentals in the City of Bellaire. In the ordinance, a short-term rental is defined as “the rental for compensation of all or part of a dwelling for a period of not more than 30 days.” (It does not include hotels as permitted by Chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinances, nor does it include a residence temporarily leased back to a prior owner in connection with a real estate sales transaction). The ordinance establishes that short-term rentals are incompatible with and thus prohibited in residential districts in the City. The ordinance also provides for permit, renewal, appeal, and revocation rules and procedures for lawful short-term rentals in nonresidential districts. The effective date of the ordinance is March 17, 2026, which gave existing short-term rentals in residential districts 120 days to cease operating as such.
Full Breakdown
The Bellaire City Council determined that short-term rentals are incompatible with residential neighborhoods and adopted an ordinance banning them in residential districts. The ban applies to all platforms including Airbnb, VRBO, and similar services. Properties in the Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) zoning district may obtain an STR permit subject to annual fire marshal inspections, life-safety equipment requirements, occupancy limits based on bedroom count, and parking requirements based on driveway and garage capacity. The ordinance makes enforcement applicable to property owners, guests, property managers, and listing platforms alike. The 180-day phase-in period from adoption means existing residential operators must cease operations by May 16, 2026. Contact Development Services at (713) 662-8222 for permit questions.
Violations & Fines
Operating an STR in a residential district or without a valid permit in mixed-use areas is a violation with fines up to $500 per day. Each day of operation constitutes a separate offense. The city may pursue enforcement against platforms listing unpermitted Bellaire properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Airbnbs allowed in Bellaire TX?
When does Bellaire's STR ban take effect?
Can I do a long-term rental instead in Bellaire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellaire
How Bellaire compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bellaire to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle short-term rental permits.