Short-term rental permit rules in Houston, TX — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Houston adopted STR regulations in April 2025 (Ord. 2025-322), effective January 1, 2026. All STRs require a Certificate of Registration ($275 fee plus $33.10 admin fee). As of April 2026, platforms must remove unregistered listings.
Houston City Council unanimously approved Ord. 2025-322 on April 16, 2025, establishing the city's first short-term rental regulations. An STR is defined as a dwelling unit rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Each unit requires a separate Certificate of Registration. Application requires a $275 non-refundable registration fee and $33.10 administrative fee. Operators must provide a 24-hour emergency contact, proof of ownership or owner permission, acknowledgment that STR use does not violate deed restrictions, and completion of annual human trafficking prevention training. Certificates are valid for one year, non-transferable, and must be displayed on all listings. Registration opened October 1, 2025; enforcement began January 1, 2026. As of April 1, 2026, the city notifies platforms to remove non-compliant listings within 10 days. Over 8,500 STRs were already operating in Houston at adoption.
Operating without a Certificate of Registration: $100–$500 per day of violation. Two or more noise citations within 12 months may result in certificate revocation. Three or more revocations for the same owner within 24 months triggers revocation of all remaining certificates.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
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