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

Yes. Houston requires Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration, and the fee is $275. 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.

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

The Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration fee in Houston is $275, renewed annual. $275.00 non-refundable annual registration fee per rental property, plus a City of Houston administrative fee ($33.10 for calendar year 2025; city fees adjust annually per the Consumer Price Index). Each STR unit — including individual condominium or apartment units in a single complex — requires a separate certificate. Certificates are non-transferable.

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

Houston requires Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration — the fee is $275, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration
Permit fee	$275
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Houston has no conventional zoning code and the STR ordinance imposes no location or district restrictions — registration is available citywide. However, applicants must declare that STR use does not violate private covenants, HOA rules, bylaws, deed restrictions, condominium agreements, or lease terms, which remain privately enforceable. STRs may not be advertised as event spaces.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration
Submit the Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration application to Houston and pay the $275 fee. $275.00 non-refundable annual registration fee per rental property, plus a City of Houston administrative fee ($33.10 for calendar year 2025; city fees adjust annually per the Consumer Price Index). Each STR unit — including individual condominium or apartment units in a single complex — requires a separate certificate. Certificates are non-transferable.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Houston. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — 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 Houston changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

Watch Houston for changes →

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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 Houston before applying.

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