How to get a short-term rental permit in New Braunfels, TX (2026)
New Braunfels requires Short Term Rental Permit — the fee is $206, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short Term Rental Permit |
| Permit fee | $206 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. 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.
- 2
Apply for the Short Term Rental Permit
Submit the Short Term Rental Permit application to New Braunfels and pay the $206 fee. $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.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for New Braunfels. 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 New Braunfels changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch New Braunfels for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with New Braunfels before applying.