Leander, TX Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Unlike cities such as Fort Worth that maintain a formal STR registry, the City of Leander does not have a dedicated short-term rental registration system. There is no STR-specific registration number, renewal cycle, or public registry. The registration-style requirement that does clearly apply to a transient-lodging operator is Hotel Occupancy Tax compliance. Under Chapter 11, Article 11.04 of the Leander Code of Ordinances, any hotel-type lodging where the cost of occupancy is two dollars or more per day must collect a 7% city occupancy tax and file a Hotel Occupancy Tax report with the Finance Director. The city's report form states the report 'must be filed even if no tax is due' and is due, with payment, by the last day of the first calendar month following each calendar quarter (i.e., quarterly: Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec). A copy of the state occupancy tax return filed with the Texas Comptroller, plus documentation of any exemptions granted, must accompany the city report. Reports and payments are mailed to the Finance Director, City of Leander, P.O. Box 319, Leander, TX 78646. Separately, because Leander treats short rentals as a hotel use, a property may also need a certificate of occupancy and zoning verification through the Planning/Building departments before it can lawfully operate as transient lodging. There is, however, no neighbor-notification filing, no STR roster, and no annual STR license to renew under current city rules.