League City, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in League City, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Sec. 125-3.14.18
- Permit Required
- Yes, before advertising
- Annual Fee
- $300 (doubled if non-compliant)
- Renewal
- Annual
- Inspection
- Fire/life-safety required
- Portal
- Rentalscape (HOT certificate)
- Display
- Permit number in all listings
- Building Dept
- 281-554-1000
Summary
League City requires every short-term rental to obtain an annual STR permit from the Building Department under Section 125-3.14.18, plus a separate Hotel Occupancy Tax certificate via Rentalscape, before listing on Airbnb, VRBO, or any booking platform.
Every short-term rental (STR) property in League City is required to have a STR permit and the permit number must be displayed when listing on a booking platform. Permits are issued through the City Building Dept and must be renewed annually. City Ordinance Sec. 125-3.14.18 requires STR property owners to be fully compliant before advertising or listing on online booking platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and Home & Away. What qualifies as a short-term rental (STR)? A short-term rental (STR) means a property where all or a portion of a residential dwelling unit, including an apartment or accessary building, may be rented or leased for compensation to members of the public for use as sleeping accommodations on a temporary or transient basis of less than 30 consecutive days. Why do I need a permit? League City Council approved an Ordinance that requires a short-term rental permit and hotel occupancy tax certificate to operate. STRs who list or advertise their rental properties without a STR permit are subject to fines of up to $500.
Full Breakdown
Under City Ordinance Sec. 125-3.14.18, every property rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days must hold a valid STR permit issued through the City's Online Permit Portal before advertising on a booking platform. The application requires a site plan showing the property and designated parking spaces, a floor plan showing sleeping areas and evacuation routes, and the permit fee. The City has stated a $300 annual permit fee, with the fee doubled if the operator is found advertising without a permit. A fire and life-safety inspection is required prior to issuance. Permits must be renewed annually, and the permit number must be displayed in every booking-platform listing. After the permit is issued, the operator must register the property in the Rentalscape platform to obtain a Hotel Occupancy Tax certificate. Texas has no statewide STR preemption, so League City's program governs.
Violations & Fines
Operating or advertising an STR without a valid permit number displayed is a Class C misdemeanor under Sec. 125-3.14.18, punishable by fines up to $500 per offense, with each day a separate violation. The permit fee is doubled if a property is found listed without a valid permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rent my home short-term in League City?
What does the application require?
Where do I file for the hotel occupancy tax?
What if I list my place without a permit?
Sources & Official References
- [1]https://www.leaguecitytx.gov/3758/Short-Term-Rentals-in-League-City
- [2]https://www.leaguecitytx.gov/4612/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Checklist
- [3]https://www.leaguecitytx.gov/4613/Short-Term-Rental-Operator-Guidelines
- [4]https://library.municode.com/tx/league_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PAIICOOR_CH125UNDECO_ARTIIIZORE_S125-3.14STSPUS
Other rules in League City
How League City compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare League City to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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