Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Houston, TX (2026)

Houston, TX allows short-term rentals — commonly listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO — subject to local regulations that have evolved significantly since 2015. Hosts must register with the city (City of Houston Certificate of Registration (Chapter 28, Article XXIII) — required for each dwelling unit operated as an STR. Administered by the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA).) before listing their property. Houston regulates STRs to balance tourism revenue with neighborhood quality of life. Key rules cover primary residence requirements, nightly limits, occupancy caps, and tax collection obligations. Hosts who operate without required registration or in violation of city rules face substantial fines. Below are the current registration requirements, rules, platform-specific notes, and penalties for Houston.

Registration Requirements

Registration Required: City of Houston Certificate of Registration (Chapter 28, Article XXIII) — required for each dwelling unit operated as an STR. Administered by the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA).. Registration fee: $$275 per certificate (Sec. 28-731(a)). Annual renewal: $$275 — certificate valid for one year from date of issuance; registrants may apply for renewal up to 90 days before expiration (Sec. 28-731(e)) annually. Register through the Houston Permitting Center (HPC) or Houston Planning and Development Department. Your registration number must be displayed on all platform listings. Failure to register before hosting is a violation subject to fines.

Operational Rules

Short-Term Rental Rules in Houston: 1. City of Houston Certificate of Registration required for every short-term rental (< 30 consecutive days) operating within city limits, effective January 1, 2026 (Ordinance 2025, Chapter 28 Article XXIII) 2. Application fee $275 per dwelling unit; separate certificate required for each STR address; certificates are non-transferable and void on sale or change of ownership 3. Applications must include owner/operator contact info, proof of ownership, 24-hour emergency contact, platform listings, acknowledgment of deed-restriction/HOA compliance, and human trafficking training certification 4. Owner or operator must complete annual training on identifying and reporting human trafficking (Sec. 28-731(b)(8)) 5. Certificate of registration number and maximum occupancy must appear in all public listings and advertisements, including on all platforms (Sec. 28-741(b)(4)) 6. Certificate of registration must be posted conspicuously inside the front entrance of the STR (Sec. 28-741(b)(6)) 7. Minimum rental period of one night — no hourly or partial-day rentals (Sec. 28-741(b)(1)) 8. Advertising or hosting special events (weddings, banquets, receptions, concerts, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc.) at an STR is prohibited (Sec. 28-741(b)(3)) 9. 24-hour emergency contact person must respond to emergency conditions within one hour of notification (Sec. 28-741(b)(5)) 10. Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) applies to rentals under 30 days — hosts responsible; proof of HOT registration or remittance required at application (Sec. 28-731(b)(10)) 11. Houston Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) applies — platforms typically collect 12. Deed restrictions may prohibit short-term rentals in residential subdivisions — applicant must acknowledge the property's use as an STR does not violate HOA rules, deed restrictions, or rental agreement terms (Sec. 28-731(b)(7)) 13. Noise (Chapter 30), nuisance abatement (Chapter 10), solid waste/litter (Chapter 39), and Construction and Fire Code compliance required (Sec. 28-741(a)) 14. Applications began accepting August 1, 2025; ordinance took effect January 1, 2026

• •City of Houston Certificate of Registration required for every short-term rental (< 30 consecutive days) operating within city limits, effective January 1, 2026 (Ordinance 2025, Chapter 28 Article XXIII)
• •Application fee $275 per dwelling unit; separate certificate required for each STR address; certificates are non-transferable and void on sale or change of ownership
• •Applications must include owner/operator contact info, proof of ownership, 24-hour emergency contact, platform listings, acknowledgment of deed-restriction/HOA compliance, and human trafficking training certification
• •Owner or operator must complete annual training on identifying and reporting human trafficking (Sec. 28-731(b)(8))
• •Certificate of registration number and maximum occupancy must appear in all public listings and advertisements, including on all platforms (Sec. 28-741(b)(4))
• •Certificate of registration must be posted conspicuously inside the front entrance of the STR (Sec. 28-741(b)(6))
• •Minimum rental period of one night — no hourly or partial-day rentals (Sec. 28-741(b)(1))
• •Advertising or hosting special events (weddings, banquets, receptions, concerts, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc.) at an STR is prohibited (Sec. 28-741(b)(3))
• •24-hour emergency contact person must respond to emergency conditions within one hour of notification (Sec. 28-741(b)(5))
• •Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) applies to rentals under 30 days — hosts responsible; proof of HOT registration or remittance required at application (Sec. 28-731(b)(10))
• •Houston Hotel Occupancy Tax (7%) applies — platforms typically collect
• •Deed restrictions may prohibit short-term rentals in residential subdivisions — applicant must acknowledge the property's use as an STR does not violate HOA rules, deed restrictions, or rental agreement terms (Sec. 28-731(b)(7))
• •Noise (Chapter 30), nuisance abatement (Chapter 10), solid waste/litter (Chapter 39), and Construction and Fire Code compliance required (Sec. 28-741(a))
• •Applications began accepting August 1, 2025; ordinance took effect January 1, 2026

Platform-Specific Rules

Platform-Specific Rules in Houston: Airbnb: Airbnb collects and remits Texas 6% HOT and City of Houston 7% HOT on behalf of hosts. As of January 1, 2026, all listings must display a valid City of Houston Certificate of Registration number; platforms must require hosts to include it in listings (Sec. 28-742). VRBO: VRBO also collects and remits applicable taxes. Same registration number display requirement applies (Sec. 28-742). Always verify current platform tax collection and remittance policies directly with your platform — these can change without advance notice to hosts.

Penalties for Violations

Penalties for STR Violations in Houston: Fine of $100–$500 per violation; each day a violation continues is a separate offense (Sec. 28-723(a)); Operating, renting, leasing, or advertising an STR without a valid certificate of registration is unlawful (Sec. 28-722(a)); Certificate may be revoked for false application information, failure to remit hotel occupancy taxes, two or more nuisance abatements in 12 months, two or more Chapter 30 convictions in 12 months, or a conviction at the STR for enumerated offenses (kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual assault, prostitution, reckless discharge of firearm, disorderly conduct, etc.) (Sec. 28-733(a)); If three or more of an owner/operator's certificates are revoked within 24 months, the Director may initiate revocation of all remaining certificates held by that owner/operator (Sec. 28-733(b)); Platforms must delist non-compliant STRs within 10 business days of city notice (Sec. 28-734); A revoked certificate triggers a one-year ineligibility period for the same property (Sec. 28-733(d)); Tax penalties for non-remittance of hotel occupancy tax; Deed restriction violations enforced civilly by neighbors/HOA. Houston has enforcement mechanisms to identify unlicensed short-term rental listings on platforms. Hosts should ensure all registrations are current and listings display valid registration numbers.

• ⚠Fine of $100–$500 per violation; each day a violation continues is a separate offense (Sec. 28-723(a))
• ⚠Operating, renting, leasing, or advertising an STR without a valid certificate of registration is unlawful (Sec. 28-722(a))
• ⚠Certificate may be revoked for false application information, failure to remit hotel occupancy taxes, two or more nuisance abatements in 12 months, two or more Chapter 30 convictions in 12 months, or a conviction at the STR for enumerated offenses (kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual assault, prostitution, reckless discharge of firearm, disorderly conduct, etc.) (Sec. 28-733(a))
• ⚠If three or more of an owner/operator's certificates are revoked within 24 months, the Director may initiate revocation of all remaining certificates held by that owner/operator (Sec. 28-733(b))
• ⚠Platforms must delist non-compliant STRs within 10 business days of city notice (Sec. 28-734)
• ⚠A revoked certificate triggers a one-year ineligibility period for the same property (Sec. 28-733(d))
• ⚠Tax penalties for non-remittance of hotel occupancy tax
• ⚠Deed restriction violations enforced civilly by neighbors/HOA

Frequently Asked Questions