Can I Airbnb in Houston, TX? (2026)
Short-term rentals are legal citywide in Houston, but under the city's first STR ordinance (adopted April 16, 2025, effective January 1, 2026) every STR must hold an annual Certificate of Registration from the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department — a $275 non-refundable fee plus a city administrative fee (about $33 in 2025) per unit. Houston has no zoning code and imposes no owner-occupancy rules, per-owner unit caps, or night caps; the biggest obligations are registering each unit, remitting a combined 17% hotel occupancy tax, and avoiding $100-$500-per-day fines and platform delisting for operating unregistered. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
What’s required: a Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration ($275) is required; occupancy taxes apply; renew annual.
Check a specific address
Rules can vary by zone and parcel. Resolve any Texas street address to its jurisdiction and see the verified rules that apply.
Related
Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Also check HOA/condo rules and your lease, which can prohibit short-term rentals even where the city allows them.