Harlingen, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Hotel occupancy tax rate
- 7% of rent
- STR registration fee
- $50 per unit
- Tax filing frequency
- Quarterly report and payment
- Registration fee waiver
- If tax properly remitted
- Registration violation fine
- Up to $500/day
Summary
Harlingen taxes short-term rental stays at 7% under its Hotel Occupancy Tax and separately requires a $50 short-term rental registration fee per unit before renting out a dwelling.
There is hereby levied a tax upon the cost of occupancy of any room or space furnished by any hotel...such tax to be equal to seven percent of the consideration paid by the occupant of such room, space, or facility to such hotel...The rental registration fee shall be $50.00 (per rental unit).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4546847; v3 updated 2025-07-16).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 42, Article II, Harlingen levies a 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax on the consideration paid for occupancy, which the code's definitions section expressly extends to short-term rentals (dwellings rented under 30 consecutive days). Operators must also register each STR unit with Building Inspections for a $50 fee, waivable only if hotel occupancy tax is already being properly remitted. Tax collectors must file quarterly reports and remit tax by the last day of the month following each quarter.
Violations & Fines
Registration violations under § 42-28 draw fines up to $500 per day; failing to collect, report, or pay the occupancy tax under § 42-32 is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Harlingen short-term rentals owe hotel occupancy tax?
Is the $50 registration fee separate from the occupancy tax?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harlingen
How Harlingen compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harlingen to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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Taxes & Fees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle taxes & fees.