Richmond, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Richmond, TX, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Registration
- Required citywide
- Effective date
- January 1, 2023
- Cert of Occupancy
- Required
- Contact
- Building Department
Summary
Richmond requires rental properties, including short-term rentals, to register with the City and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before being lawfully offered for paid lodging.
Sec. 351.10693. ALLOCATION OF REVENUE: CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) This section applies only to a municipality:(1) with a population of less than 3,000;(2) through which the Blanco River flows; and(3) that is located in a county that:(A) is adjacent to the county in which the State Capitol is located; and(B) has a population of at least 250,000.(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a municipality to which this section applies may use revenue from the municipal hotel occupancy tax for the promotion and preservation of dark skies through construction and maintenance of infrastructure and the purchase and installation of hardware that reduces light pollution and sky glow.(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a municipality to
Full Breakdown
Effective January 1, 2023, the City of Richmond adopted an ordinance requiring all residential rental properties operated within the city to be registered with the City. Short-term rental operators must contact the Richmond Building Department and Code Compliance to confirm zoning compatibility, complete rental registration, and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy verifying the structure complies with applicable building, life-safety, and property maintenance standards before guests are accepted.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unregistered rental or accepting paid guests without a Certificate of Occupancy may result in code-compliance citations, daily fines, and an order to cease operations until compliance is achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richmond require a permit before I list my home on Airbnb?
Who handles short-term rental registration in Richmond?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
How Richmond compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richmond 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.