STR Rule Watch

Short-Term Rental Laws in New Braunfels, TX (2026)

RestrictedRestricted

New Braunfels prohibits short-term rentals in all residential zoning districts and in any floodway; STRs are allowed only in non-residential districts, where a city Short Term Rental Permit is required plus (except in C-4, C-4A, C-4B) a discretionary Special Use Permit approved by City Council. Permits cost $206 initially and $128 to renew annually with a fire inspection, $500,000 commercial liability insurance, and monthly remittance of a 7% city hotel occupancy tax on top of the 6% Texas state tax. In June 2026 the Fifth Circuit upheld the residential-district ban against a constitutional challenge (Marfil v. City of New Braunfels).

✓ Last verified July 21, 2026 · 9 official sources

Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 9 official sources. How we verify data

New Braunfels STR rules at a glance

Key short-term rental facts for New Braunfels
Legal statusRestricted
Permit requiredYes
Permit nameShort Term Rental Permit
Permit fee$206
RenewalAnnual
Owner occupancy requiredNo
Primary residence onlyNo
Minimum stay1 night
Total occupancy taxes~13% of gross revenue
InsuranceGeneral commercial liability insurance (or equivalent) of at least $500,000 per occurrence is required for all short-term rentals; a certificate showing named insured, location address, effective date, coverage limit and type must be provided, and the city must be notified within 30 days of any change in status or the permit is suspended.
EnforcementCode enforcement and the fire marshal inspect immediately when a violation is suspected; fire life-safety inspections are annual (every other year for sprinklered structures).
Current rules effective2024-12-09

What will guests pay in taxes on a New Braunfels stay?

Itemized occupancy taxes for New Braunfels, TX — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.

New Braunfels occupancy tax calculator

Gross rent$450.00
Texas state hotel occupancy tax (6%)· collection varies$27.00
City of New Braunfels hotel occupancy tax (7%)· host remits$31.50
Total tax (13%)$58.50
Guest pays$508.50

Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.

Permits & licensing

New Braunfels requires Short Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $206, renewed annually.

$206 initial application fee covers application review, Fire Inspection, and technology fees. Annual renewal is $128 (with updated insurance and a passed fire inspection). If the property needs a Special Use Permit (required everywhere except C-4, C-4A, C-4B), that separate rezoning application starts at $1,750 plus acreage-based fees and a 3% technology fee.

Zoning & location rules

STRs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and in any floodway regardless of zoning. They are only possible in non-residential districts (R-3, R-3L, R-3H, MU-A, MU-B, C-1, C-1A, C-1B, C-2, C-2A, C-3, C-4, C-4A, C-4B, C-O, M-1, M-1A, M-2A). A Short Term Rental Permit is required in all districts, and a Special Use Permit (a discretionary City Council rezoning taking ~3 months, with neighbor notification) is additionally required in every district except C-4, C-4A and C-4B for single-family/duplex STRs. Occupancy is capped at 2 occupants per sleeping room plus 2, with 1 off-street parking space per sleeping room. A residentially-zoned property would need a base zoning change (e.g. to C-O or MU-A) plus an SUP to operate.

Taxes

TaxRateWho collects
Texas state hotel occupancy tax6% of the cost of a room, remitted to the Texas Comptroller. Short-term rental platforms that have an agreement with property owners to collect and remit state HOT are required to do so; otherwise the host remits.6%varies
City of New Braunfels hotel occupancy tax7% of gross receipts, on occupancies of $2.00 or more per day. The city's Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQ states explicitly that neither Airbnb nor Vrbo collects or remits the city's HOT on behalf of owners; hosts must file monthly (due the 20th for the prior month, even with zero revenue) via the RentalScape portal as of Feb 1, 2026. Combined city+state burden is 13%; no county HOT was identified for properties inside city limits. A 2% Tourism Public Improvement District assessment approved in March 2026 applies only to hotels with 5+ rooms and expressly excludes short-term rentals.7%host

Enforcement & penalties

Code enforcement and the fire marshal inspect immediately when a violation is suspected; fire life-safety inspections are annual (every other year for sprinklered structures). A 24-hour contact must be able to reach the property within 60 minutes and contact occupants within one hour of a complaint. Three citations/notices of violation involving separate occupants within six months can trigger revocation of the STR permit and/or SUP; after revocation the owner may not reapply for 12 months. Late city HOT payment incurs escalating fees ($50 at 1 day, $75 at 31 days, $100 at 61 days, and at 91 days 15% of the assessed tax plus misdemeanor charges).

Occupancy in violation of Sec. 144-5.17 is an offense punishable by a fine of $500 minimum to $2,000 maximum per violation, with each day a separate offense. Operating an STR without a permit incurs a $2,000 non-compliance fee. Late hotel occupancy tax: $50/$75/$100 escalating fees, then 15% of assessed tax plus misdemeanor charges at 91 days.

⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

Getting legal in New Braunfels: the playbook

Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.

  1. 1

    Verify your zoning

    Location rules apply: STRs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and in any floodway regardless of zoning. They are only possible in non-residential districts (R-3, R-3L, R-3H, MU-A, MU-B, C-1, C-1A, C-1B, C-2, C-2A, C-3, C-4, C-4A, C-4B, C-O, M-1, M-1A, M-2A). Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.

  2. 2

    Check the covenant layer

    HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

  3. 3

    Apply for the Short Term Rental Permit

    Budget $206, renewed annually. $206 initial application fee covers application review, Fire Inspection, and technology fees. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.

  4. 4

    Line up required insurance

    General commercial liability insurance (or equivalent) of at least $500,000 per occurrence is required for all short-term rentals; a certificate showing named insured, location address, effective date, coverage limit and type must be provided, and the city must be notified within 30 days of any change in status or the permit is suspended.

  5. 5

    Set up tax collection & remittance

    Platforms don't collect everything here: Texas state hotel occupancy tax (6%), City of New Braunfels hotel occupancy tax (7%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.

  6. 6

    Configure your listing to the operating limits

    Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 1-night minimum stay — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.

  7. 7

    Calendar the renewal before you forget it

    This permit renews annually (budget $206 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.

  8. 8

    Know the cost of getting it wrong

    Occupancy in violation of Sec. 17 is an offense punishable by a fine of $500 minimum to $2,000 maximum per violation, with each day a separate offense. Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.

Recent rule changes in New Braunfels

  1. June 18, 2026material

    Fifth Circuit upholds residential-district STR ban (Marfil v. City of New Braunfels)

    The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court's summary judgment for the city, ruling that property owners have no constitutionally protected right to lease for less than 30 days and that preserving residential character is a rational basis for the ordinance. The residential ban remains fully enforceable.

    Official source →

  2. February 1, 2026

    City HOT filings moved to RentalScape portal

    Starting February 1, 2026, City of New Braunfels hotel occupancy tax filings and payments for short-term rentals transitioned to the RentalScape portal; monthly filings remain due on the 20th for the prior month, even with zero revenue.

    Official source →

  3. December 9, 2024material

    Ordinance 2024-96 amends STR section 144-5.17

    City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-96 (Sec. 5), the most recent amendment to the short-term rental section of the zoning code; the current codified text (through Ord. 2026-26, April 13, 2026) reflects this amendment.

    Official source →

Frequently asked questions

›Is Airbnb legal in New Braunfels?

Airbnb is legal in New Braunfels, TX, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in New Braunfels?

Yes. New Braunfels requires a Short Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $206 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›How much does a New Braunfels short-term rental permit cost?

The Short Term Rental Permit costs $206 (annual renewal). $206 initial application fee covers application review, Fire Inspection, and technology fees. Annual renewal is $128 (with updated insurance and a passed fire inspection). If the property needs a Special Use Permit (required everywhere except C-4, C-4A, C-4B), that separate rezoning application starts at $1,750 plus acreage-based fees and a 3% technology fee.

›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in New Braunfels?

Yes — New Braunfels does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in New Braunfels?

Hosts in New Braunfels are subject to: Texas state hotel occupancy tax (6%), City of New Braunfels hotel occupancy tax (7%) — roughly 13% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.

›Is there a minimum stay for short-term rentals in New Braunfels?

Yes — New Braunfels requires a minimum stay of 1 night for short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Do I need insurance to run a short-term rental in New Braunfels?

General commercial liability insurance (or equivalent) of at least $500,000 per occurrence is required for all short-term rentals; a certificate showing named insured, location address, effective date, coverage limit and type must be provided, and the city must be notified within 30 days of any change in status or the permit is suspended. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in New Braunfels?

No — in New Braunfels hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in New Braunfels?

Occupancy in violation of Sec. 17 is an offense punishable by a fine of $500 minimum to $2,000 maximum per violation, with each day a separate offense. See the enforcement section on this page for full details.

›When did New Braunfels's current short-term rental rules take effect?

The current ordinance took effect on December 9, 2024. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.

New Braunfels's STR rules changed 3 times recently.

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

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This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with New Braunfels and a qualified professional before operating.

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