Short-term rental permit rules in Galveston County, TX — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Texas counties cannot zone or license STRs, so unincorporated Galveston County (Bolivar Peninsula, Bacliff, San Leon) sets no permit. Inside the City of Galveston, an owner must obtain a city short-term rental license before making any dwelling available.
Galveston County has no zoning power, so it issues no STR permit in unincorporated areas. The City of Galveston, however, requires a license for every rental of under 30 consecutive days. As of Ord. No. 25-060 (effective 2025), the City itself administers licensing (previously the Park Board). No property may be advertised or rented as an STR unless it is licensed for that year, and recreational vehicles, campers, and trailers cannot be registered as STR units except in permanent RV parks.
Operating unlicensed is a Class C misdemeanor: fine up to $500 per offense, each day a separate offense, plus possible license suspension or revocation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Galveston County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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