Short-Term Rental permit in Houston, TX
Yes — you need a permit for short-term rental work in Houston.
You need a short-term rental certificate of registration from the city, and your listing has to show the registration number. If it does not, the city can order Airbnb, Vrbo, or any other platform to take the listing down. The rules for running the rental itself are in article XXIII, division 3.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a short-term rental certificate of registration … |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Chapter 28, article XXIII, with delisting in Sec. 28-734 and general requirements in Sec. 28-741 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Houston building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
You pull this permit yourself, as the property owner.
If you skip it
If your listing has no certificate of registration number, the city can tell the booking platform to remove it. It is also unlawful for an owner or operator to use, allow, or advertise a short-term rental in a way that breaks these rules.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | — | Yes | You need a short-term rental certificate of registration … |
| College Station | 77 mi | Yes | Anyone operating a short-term rental must apply for and h… |
| Waco | 163 mi | Yes | You need a city license before you operate a short-term o… |
| New Braunfels | 164 mi | Yes | You need a short term rental permit in every zoning distr… |
| Killeen | 166 mi | Yes | You need a short-term rental permit to operate a vacation… |
| Corpus Christi | 177 mi | Yes | Operating a short-term or vacation rental needs a short-t… |
Other work in Houston
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Houston can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.