Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Austin?

Yes. Austin requires Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License, and the fee is $836.30. Short-term rentals are legal citywide in Austin — allowed as an accessory use in every zoning district — but each STR must hold a city operating license ($836.30 for a new license, $385.30 renewal, valid two years as of October 2025). There is no owner-occupancy requirement (a 2023 federal court struck that down), but density is capped: at most two STRs per single-family site with 1,000-foot site-to-site spacing for additional units by the same operator, and generally 10% of units in multifamily buildings; starting July 1, 2026 platforms must delist unlicensed properties on city request. Guests pay 6% state plus 11% city hotel occupancy tax, both collected by platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo for platform bookings. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Austin?

The Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License fee in Austin is $836.30, renewed biennial. New license $836.30 total ($789 FY2026 license fee + $47.30 neighbor-notification fee); renewal $385.30 total ($338 renewal fee + $47.30 notification fee). Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is denied. FY2026 fee per official April 2026 memo; the city is evaluating future fee reductions through the budget process.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Austin, TX (2026)

Austin requires Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License — the fee is $836.30, renewed biennial. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License
Permit fee	$836.30
Renewal	Biennial

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Since Ordinance No. 20250227-039 (Feb 27, 2025), STRs are an accessory use to all residential uses in all zoning districts with a valid operating license — no zoning districts prohibit licensed STRs. Density limits (effective Oct 1, 2025) replace zoning restrictions: an individual may operate up to two STR units on a single-family site, and additional STRs elsewhere must be at least 1,000 feet apart measured site-to-site; operators on single-family sites must be individuals (not entities). On multifamily sites an owner may license the greater of one unit or 10% of units (25% on mixed-use sites with four or more residential units and at least one commercial use). STRs in Austin's limited-purpose jurisdiction need a license but owe no city HOT; STRs in the ETJ need neither.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License
Submit the Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License application to Austin and pay the $836.30 fee. New license $836.30 total ($789 FY2026 license fee + $47.30 neighbor-notification fee); renewal $385.30 total ($338 renewal fee + $47.30 notification fee). Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is denied. FY2026 fee per official April 2026 memo; the city is evaluating future fee reductions through the budget process.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Austin. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews biennial — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Austin changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Austin before applying.

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