Pasadena, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Pasadena, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- City STR Ordinance
- None specific
- State Hotel Tax
- 6% (TX Tax Code Ch. 156)
- Local Hotel Tax
- 7%
- Zoning Status
- Non-zoned city
Summary
Pasadena does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance at the city level. Texas state law under TX Tax Code Ch. 156 governs hotel occupancy tax. Property owners must comply with general zoning and nuisance ordinances. Pasadena is a non-zoned city relying on deed restrictions.
"hotel" means a building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations for consideration. The term includes a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house, tourist court, lodging house, inn, rooming house, or bed and breakfast. The term does not include:(1) a hospital, sanitarium, or nursing home;(2) a dormitory or other housing facility owned or leased and operated by an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, used by the institution for the purpose of providing sleeping accommodations for persons engaged in an educational program or activity at the institution;
Full Breakdown
The City of Pasadena, TX does not have a standalone short-term rental permitting ordinance like many other Texas cities. As a non-zoned municipality, land use is regulated through city ordinances and subdivision deed restrictions rather than zoning codes. Short-term rental operators must collect and remit the 6% state hotel occupancy tax under TX Tax Code Chapter 156 and the 7% local hotel occupancy tax. Properties must comply with all applicable building, fire, and nuisance codes. Deed restrictions in many Pasadena subdivisions may independently prohibit or restrict short-term rental activity.
Violations & Fines
Failure to collect/remit hotel occupancy tax: state penalties under TX Tax Code. Nuisance violations: fines up to $500 per day under city code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an Airbnb in Pasadena TX?
Can my HOA block short-term rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
How Pasadena compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Pasadena to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle short-term rental permits.