Cameron County imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals, and it can't — Texas counties don't zone. South Padre Island does not restrict STRs to primary residences either; whole-home investment rentals are permitted if licensed.
No primary-residence limit applies at the county level in Cameron County, which lacks zoning power over unincorporated land. Nor does South Padre Island — the county's main STR market — cap rentals to owner-occupied homes; non-owner-occupied, whole-home vacation rentals are a mainstay of the island economy and are allowed provided the operator holds a current city license, remits Hotel Occupancy Tax, and follows the STR ordinance. Investors should confirm any HOA or deed restrictions, which are private and separate from county or city law.
There is no primary-residence penalty because no such rule exists; enforcement instead targets unlicensed operation and tax or conduct violations under the applicable city STR ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville regulates noise under Chapter 46, Article III of the city code. Sound levels vary by zoning district and time of day. Residential areas have lowe...
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville regulates construction noise under its noise ordinance. Construction activities near residential areas must comply with sound level guidelines an...
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville addresses barking dogs under its animal control and noise ordinances. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors may be declared a nuisance.
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville regulates on-street parking through its traffic code. Time limits apply in commercial and downtown areas. Vehicles must not park for extended per...
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville restricts large commercial vehicles from parking in residential neighborhoods. Semi-trucks and heavy equipment should not be stored on residentia...
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville requires permits for new driveways connecting to public streets. Driveways must meet city engineering standards for width and materials.
See how Brownsville's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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