Is Airbnb legal in Houston, TX?
AllowedThese rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.
Airbnb is allowed in Houston, TX
Houston adopted its first STR ordinance in 2025, effective January 2026. Operators register, post a 24-hour contact, and remit hotel occupancy tax, but there is no primary-residence rule and no night cap, and Houston has no zoning to restrict where STRs go.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
$275
How short-term rentals work in Houston
Houston adopted its first STR ordinance in 2025, effective January 2026. Operators register, post a 24-hour contact, and remit hotel occupancy tax, but there is no primary-residence rule and no night cap, and Houston has no zoning to restrict where STRs go.
Houston broadly permits short-term rentals. Expect to register and collect lodging tax, but there is real room for an investor STR strategy.
At the state level, Texas leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.
What it means for investors
Houston is relatively open to short-term rentals, so an STR strategy is on the table. Run the numbers on a specific property, and compare it to a straight long-term rental to see which pencils better.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Texas
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Houston?
Houston adopted its first STR ordinance in 2025, effective January 2026. Operators register, post a 24-hour contact, and remit hotel occupancy tax, but there is no primary-residence rule and no night cap, and Houston has no zoning to restrict where STRs go. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Houston?
Yes. Houston requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Houston?
Yes, Houston does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Houston?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Houston, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Houston?
Short-term rentals in Houston are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Texas and the city.