College Station, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in College Station, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Registration
- City required
- Tax
- TX 6% + local HOT
- Peak
- Football weekends
- Occupancy
- Limited by code
Summary
College Station regulates short-term rentals with registration requirements. High demand during Texas A&M football weekends, graduation, and university events drives significant STR activity in neighborhoods near campus.
Sec. 351.003. TAX RATES. (a) Except as provided by this section, the tax authorized by this chapter may be imposed at any rate not to exceed seven percent of the price paid for a room in a hotel. (b) The rate in an eligible central municipality may not exceed nine percent of the price paid for a room. This subsection does not apply to a municipality to which Section 351.106 applies or to an eligible central municipality with a population of less than 440,000. (c) The rate in a municipality that borders on the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of more than 250,000 or in a municipality with a population of less than 5,000 adjacent to a home-rule city with a population of less than 80,000 may not exceed nine percent of the price paid for a room.
Full Breakdown
College Station regulates short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) through local ordinance. Requirements vary by city - some require registration, others full permits. Safety requirements typically include smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and posted exit information. Texas has debated STR preemption bills (HB 3778 etc.) that would limit city regulation, but none have passed. Property rights approach prevails at the state level.
Violations & Fines
Operating without permit/registration: varies by city ($200 to $1,000/day). Safety violations: correction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit?
Can the state override city rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in College Station
How College Station compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare College Station to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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