Stafford, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- City Fee
- $250 annually
- Refundable
- No
- Prorated
- Not prorated
- Code Reference
- Chapter 14
Summary
Stafford charges short-term rental operators a $250 non-refundable annual registration fee through its rental property licensing program, in addition to any state hotel occupancy tax obligations.
Sec. 156.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter, "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
Stafford's Chapter 14 rental registration program imposes a flat $250 non-refundable fee on every covered rental dwelling each year. The fee accompanies the registration application, funds the mandatory inspection, and supports compliance enforcement. The fee is owed even if the property is vacant during portions of the year, and the city does not prorate the charge for partial-year operation. Short-term rental hosts also remain responsible for state hotel occupancy taxes on stays under 30 days, which are administered separately by the Texas Comptroller, not the City of Stafford.
Violations & Fines
Failure to submit the $250 fee with the annual application, attempting to operate before payment is processed, or skipping renewal can lead to citations, late charges, and loss of permit privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $250 Stafford rental fee refundable if I stop renting?
Does Stafford charge its own short-term rental tax?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stafford
How Stafford compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Stafford to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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