Katy, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Katy, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit Required
- Yes, before operating
- Application Fee
- $300 new, $200 renewal
- Inspection Fee
- $50
- Rental Threshold
- Under 30 consecutive days
- Prohibited Units
- Tents, RVs, vehicles
Summary
Katy requires every short-term rental operator to obtain a city-issued permit before listing or renting a dwelling for periods of less than thirty consecutive days.
Sec. 351.002. TAX AUTHORIZED. (a) A municipality by ordinance may impose a tax on a person who, under a lease, concession, permit, right of access, license, contract, or agreement, pays for the use or possession or for the right to the use or possession of a room that is in a hotel, costs $2 or more each day, and is ordinarily used for sleeping.(b) The price of a room in a hotel does not include the cost of food served by the hotel and the cost of personal services performed by the hotel for the person except for those services related to cleaning and readying the room for use or possession.(c) The tax does not apply to a person who is a permanent resident under Section 156.101 of this code. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191,
Full Breakdown
Article 4.10 of the Katy Code of Ordinances, adopted in March 2023, prohibits the operation of any short-term rental within the city without a current, valid permit. Owners must submit an application with site plan, pass an inspection, and provide proof of liability insurance and hotel occupancy tax registration. Application fees are $300 initial and $200 renewal, plus a $50 inspection fee. Tents, hammocks, RVs, campers, and vehicles cannot be rented as STRs.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit, failing inspection, or repeated code violations may result in citations, fines, and permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rent my Katy home on Airbnb?
Can I rent out an RV or guest tent as a short-term rental?
What happens if I operate without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Katy
How Katy compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Katy 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 Fort Bend County handle short-term rental permits.