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Top TLDR

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Is Airbnb legal in Houston? Yes, Airbnb is legal in Houston but requires registration starting January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 2025-322. All short-term rental operators must obtain a Certificate of Registration ($308.10 annually), maintain $1 million liability insurance, comply with hotel occupancy taxes, and follow operational requirements including noise ordinances and safety standards. Register at Houston's STR portal beginning October 1, 2025 to operate legally—failure to register results in $100-$500 daily fines and platform listing removal.

If you're considering starting an Airbnb in Houston or you're already hosting, you need to understand the city's regulatory landscape. The short answer is: yes, Airbnb is legal in Houston. However, as of January 1, 2026, operating a short-term rental in Houston requires compliance with the city's first comprehensive STR ordinance.

For years, Houston was one of the last major U.S. cities without specific short-term rental regulations. That era of minimal oversight ended when the Houston City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-322 on April 16, 2025. This new framework creates clear rules for who can operate Airbnbs, what requirements they must meet, and how the city will enforce compliance.

Understanding whether your Airbnb is legal in Houston now depends not just on the activity itself, but on whether you're following the registration process, maintaining proper insurance, paying required taxes, and operating within the ordinance's parameters. This guide explains everything you need to know about Houston's current regulatory environment for short-term rentals.

Houston's Short-Term Rental Ordinance: The Basics

Houston's Ordinance 2025-322 establishes the first city-wide regulatory framework specifically for short-term rentals. After years of community discussions, input from stakeholders including Airbnb, property owners, neighborhood groups, and hospitality associations, the city created rules designed to balance economic opportunity with community protection.

What Qualifies as a Short-Term Rental

Under Houston's ordinance, a short-term rental is defined as any dwelling unit, or any portion of a dwelling unit, that is rented out or offered for rent for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

This broad definition includes:

• Entire homes or apartments rented through Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms
• Individual rooms rented within owner-occupied properties
• Guest houses, carriage houses, or accessory dwelling units
• Condominiums and townhomes (subject to HOA restrictions)

The definition specifically excludes traditional lodging facilities like hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts that operate under different licensing, boarding homes, and certain government housing arrangements.

The Registration Requirement

The cornerstone of Houston's STR ordinance is mandatory registration. Starting January 1, 2026, you cannot legally operate or advertise a short-term rental in Houston without a valid Certificate of Registration from the city.

Registration opened on October 1, 2025, through Houston's online STR Registration Portal. The city partnered with Host Compliance by Granicus to manage the registration system, meaning all applications, document uploads, and fee payments are handled through their online platform.

Existing hosts who were already operating before the ordinance passed received a 180-day grace period to register. Since the ordinance was approved in April 2025, this gives operators until October 2025 to complete registration before enforcement begins January 1, 2026.

Enforcement Timeline

The key dates every Houston Airbnb host must know:

April 16, 2025: Houston City Council approved the STR ordinanceOctober 1, 2025: Registration portal opened for applicationsJanuary 1, 2026: Enforcement begins—operating without registration becomes illegal

As of the enforcement date, hosting or advertising a short-term rental without a valid Certificate of Registration subjects you to fines of $100-$500 per day for each day of violation. Additionally, Houston can direct platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to remove non-compliant listings within 10 business days of notification.

How to Register Your Houston Airbnb

Obtaining your Certificate of Registration is the first essential step to operating legally under Houston's new regulations.

Application Requirements

When you apply for Houston STR registration, you'll need to provide:

Property Information: Complete address, owner information, property type, floor plan showing layout and emergency exits, and parking site plan showing available spaces.

Insurance Documentation: Proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage that remains active during rental periods (see our detailed guide on Houston Airbnb insurance requirements).

Tax Compliance: Documentation showing you're registered to pay hotel occupancy taxes or that platforms like Airbnb collect taxes on your behalf.

Compliance Declarations: Sworn statements that your STR doesn't violate deed restrictions, HOA rules, covenants, rental agreements, or minimum occupancy requirements, and that you accept responsibility for any violations.

Emergency Contact: Name and contact information for a local representative available 24/7 who can respond to the property within one hour.

Platform Information: Names and website addresses of all platforms where you've advertised the property.

Human Trafficking Training: Certificate of completion for the required human trafficking awareness training course.

Registration Fees

Houston charges an annual registration fee structure:

Initial Application: $275 non-refundable registration fee + $33.10 administrative fee = $308.10 total

Annual Renewal: Same fee structure applies each year

These fees fund the administration of the registration system, compliance monitoring, enforcement activities, and the 24-hour complaint hotline the city established for residents to report concerns about specific STRs.

The fees are relatively modest compared to other Texas cities. San Antonio, for example, now charges significantly higher fees after recent ordinance updates.

The Application Process

Applying for your Houston STR registration is entirely online:

1. Visit Houston's STR portal at houstontx.gov/ara/str.html
2. Create an account through the Host Compliance registration system
3. Complete the application form with all required property and owner information
4. Upload required documents (insurance, floor plans, tax documentation)
5. Complete the human trafficking awareness training online
6. Pay the application and administrative fees
7. Submit your application for city review

The city reviews applications to verify all requirements are met and information is accurate. Once approved, you'll receive your Certificate of Registration with a unique registration number that must be displayed on all your listings.

What Happens if Your Application is Denied

Houston can deny your STR registration application if:

• Information provided is false, misleading, incorrect, or incomplete
• You fail to provide required documentation or proof of insurance/tax registration
• You had a previous STR registration revoked within the past year
• Your property violates applicable deed restrictions, HOA rules, or zoning requirements
• You're operating in a location prohibited by the ordinance

If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal by requesting a hearing within 20 days of receiving the denial notice. The hearing provides an opportunity to address the city's concerns and present evidence supporting your application.

Operating Requirements: Staying Legal After Registration

Getting your Certificate of Registration is just the beginning. Houston's ordinance imposes ongoing operational requirements that you must follow to remain compliant.

Display Requirements

Your Certificate of Registration must be displayed prominently at your property where guests can easily see it. Additionally, your unique STR registration number must appear on all online listings—Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, your own website, or anywhere else you advertise the property.

Platforms are required to remove listings that lack registration numbers or have invalid/expired numbers within 10 days of city notification, so maintaining visible, current registration information on your listings is essential.

Insurance Maintenance

You must maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage continuously during any period when your property is listed or available for rental. If your insurance lapses, you must immediately cease operating and update your registration status.

Many Houston hosts obtain specialized short-term rental insurance that not only meets the city's liability requirement but provides comprehensive coverage for property damage, lost income, and other STR-specific risks that standard homeowners policies exclude.

Tax Compliance

Houston requires STR operators to collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes. The total tax burden is substantial—17% including state, city, county, and sports authority taxes.

If you list exclusively on Airbnb or Vrbo, these platforms automatically collect and remit most required taxes on your behalf. However, you must maintain proof of this tax collection (receipts from the platforms) and provide it when registering and at annual renewal.

If you use other platforms or accept direct bookings, you're responsible for registering with appropriate tax authorities and filing quarterly returns. Failure to maintain tax compliance can result in registration denial or revocation.

Emergency Contact Availability

Your designated emergency contact must be available 24/7 and able to respond to the property within one hour of notification. This could be you, a property manager, a co-host, or another trusted representative.

The requirement recognizes that problems don't occur on a 9-to-5 schedule. When guests lock themselves out at midnight, neighbors complain about noise at 2 AM, or emergencies arise, someone must be available to respond quickly.

Professional Airbnb property management in Houston provides 24/7 emergency response as a standard service, ensuring you always meet this requirement while protecting your property and maintaining positive neighbor relationships.

Minimum Stay Requirements

Houston prohibits rentals shorter than one night. You cannot rent your property by the hour or for partial-day stays. This helps prevent STRs from functioning as unlicensed hotels and addresses concerns about party houses and improper use.

Prohibited Activities

Your STR cannot be advertised or operated as an event venue. While guests can have family gatherings or personal celebrations during their stay, you cannot market the property as available for weddings, corporate events, parties, or other special events.

This restriction aims to prevent the neighborhood disruption that comes from STRs operating as event venues rather than temporary lodging.

Noise and Community Standards

Houston STRs must comply with all city noise ordinances, which restrict loud noise and prohibit outdoor amplified sound during nighttime hours. Your registration can be revoked if your property receives two or more noise citations on separate occasions within a 12-month period.

Additionally, you must ensure guests comply with solid waste regulations, building codes, fire safety standards, and all other applicable city ordinances. You're responsible for guest behavior and violations that occur at your property.

Circumstances That Can Cause Registration Revocation

Understanding what can lead to losing your STR registration helps you operate in ways that protect your legal status.

Criminal Activity by Guests

Houston can revoke your registration if guests commit certain crimes at your property, including:

• Reckless discharge of a firearm
• Disorderly conduct
• Prostitution
• Multiple noise violations

While you can't completely control guest behavior, thorough screening, clear communication of house rules, and immediate response to problems can minimize these risks.

Multiple Violations

If you operate multiple STRs in Houston, accumulating three or more registration revocations within a two-year period can result in the city revoking certificates for all your properties. This multi-property penalty structure holds serial violators accountable and prevents bad operators from simply shifting problems from one property to another.

False Information

Providing false, misleading, or incorrect information on your application or failing to update the city when required information changes can result in revocation.

Always be truthful in your application and promptly notify the city of changes to ownership, emergency contacts, insurance carriers, or other registered details.

HOA or Deed Restriction Violations

Your registration declaration states that operating your STR doesn't violate any HOA rules or deed restrictions. If the city learns your property is subject to restrictions prohibiting short-term rentals and you're operating anyway, your registration can be denied or revoked.

Always verify your HOA's rules regarding short-term rentals before applying for Houston registration. The city's ordinance doesn't override private deed restrictions—you need both city approval and HOA compliance.

Tax Non-Compliance

Failing to maintain current hotel occupancy tax registration or not paying required taxes will result in registration issues. Houston takes tax compliance seriously, and your certificate can be revoked if you stop meeting tax obligations.

Special Situations: Tenants, Multi-Unit Properties, and Ownership Changes

Houston's ordinance addresses several special circumstances that affect how STR registration works.

Tenants as STR Operators

Tenants can operate short-term rentals in Houston, but only with explicit written permission from the property owner. Your registration application must include a declaration from the owner granting permission and acknowledging the STR operation.

This protects property owners from unauthorized subletting while allowing residents who have landlord approval to participate in the short-term rental economy.

Before renting out a property you don't own, always:

• Obtain clear written permission from your landlord
• Verify your lease doesn't prohibit short-term subletting
• Understand you're responsible for all registration requirements and fees
• Recognize the landlord can revoke permission, ending your ability to operate

Multi-Unit Properties and Apartment Buildings

Each individual dwelling unit requires a separate Certificate of Registration. If you own an entire apartment building with multiple units you're renting as STRs, you need a registration certificate for each unit—you cannot register the building with one certificate covering multiple units.

This per-unit registration requirement ensures the city can track and regulate each individual short-term rental operation, regardless of common ownership.

Ownership Transfers

Certificates of Registration are non-transferable. If you sell a property that has an active STR certificate, the registration doesn't transfer to the new owner.

The buyer must submit a new application with all required documentation and fees to operate the property as a short-term rental under their ownership. Factor this into real estate transactions—a registered STR property doesn't automatically convey registered status to the next owner.

Similarly, if ownership changes through inheritance, transfer to an LLC, or other means, a new certificate application is required.

Houston's Unique Position: No Traditional Zoning

One aspect that makes Houston's STR regulations distinctive is the city's lack of traditional zoning laws.

Unlike most American cities, Houston doesn't use zoning to segregate land uses into residential, commercial, or industrial zones. Instead, land development is regulated through ordinance codes administered by the Department of Planning and Development, which govern property subdivision but don't dictate land use in the traditional zoning sense.

What This Means for STRs

The absence of traditional zoning means Houston doesn't restrict short-term rentals to specific neighborhoods or prohibit them in residential areas based on zoning classifications.

You can potentially operate an STR anywhere in Houston city limits, subject to:

• Private deed restrictions or HOA rules in your specific neighborhood
• Building and safety code compliance
• Registration requirements under the STR ordinance

This makes Houston more permissive than cities like Dallas or Fort Worth, where zoning restrictions create geographical limitations on where STRs can operate.

Deed Restrictions Still Apply

However, Houston's lack of zoning doesn't mean no restrictions exist. Private deed restrictions and HOA rules are extremely common in Houston neighborhoods and often prohibit or restrict short-term rentals regardless of city regulations.

Always verify your property doesn't have deed restrictions banning STRs before investing or applying for registration. The city requires you to declare compliance with deed restrictions—violating them can result in registration denial and private legal action from your HOA.

How Houston Compares to Other Texas Cities

Houston's approach to STR regulation falls in the middle of the spectrum among major Texas cities.

More Permissive Than Austin or Dallas

Austin and Dallas have attempted more restrictive approaches. Austin's ordinance previously banned non-homestead short-term rentals entirely, though courts found parts of that ban unconstitutional in 2019. Dallas attempted to prohibit STRs in single-family neighborhoods, facing legal challenges that resulted in a temporary injunction against enforcement.

Houston avoided these aggressive restriction approaches, instead focusing on registration, accountability, and enforcement mechanisms for problem properties while allowing STRs to operate throughout the city.

More Regulated Than Pre-2025 Houston

However, Houston's new ordinance represents a significant shift from the city's previous hands-off approach. Before 2025, Houston had no specific STR regulations—hosts operated under general building codes and tax requirements but faced no registration or licensing obligations.

The transition from essentially unregulated to comprehensive registration and operational requirements marks a major change for Houston's STR market. The city identified over 8,500 active short-term rentals in November 2024, all of which must now register to continue operating legally.

Similar to San Antonio's Framework

Houston's approach most closely resembles San Antonio's regulatory model—mandatory registration, fee-based licensing, operational requirements, and enforcement mechanisms for violations. San Antonio has maintained its framework despite legal challenges to Austin and Dallas's more restrictive approaches.

This suggests Houston's ordinance has a reasonable chance of withstanding legal scrutiny while effectively regulating the STR market.

Staying Informed: Regulations May Evolve

Houston's STR ordinance is new, and regulations frequently evolve as cities gain experience implementing them.

Monitoring Regulatory Changes

The Houston City Council reviews and can amend the STR ordinance as issues arise or circumstances change. Stay informed about potential modifications by:

Following City Communications: Sign up for email updates from Houston's Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department at houstontx.gov/ara/str.html

Attending City Council Meetings: When STR topics appear on agendas, attend meetings or watch online to understand proposed changes

Joining Host Groups: Local Airbnb host groups and organizations like Ursula Jessee's Houston superhost network often mobilize when regulations threaten host interests

Working with Professional Management: Property management companies monitor regulatory changes professionally and adjust operations to maintain compliance as rules evolve

Proposed Amendments and Public Input

Houston's ordinance development included over 270 public comments and suggested revisions from stakeholders. This collaborative approach suggests the city will remain open to reasonable amendments as practical experience reveals what works and what needs adjustment.

As a Houston STR operator, participating in public comment periods when amendments are proposed ensures your voice is heard in shaping regulations that affect your business.

Enforcement Evolution

How Houston enforces its ordinance will evolve based on complaint patterns, violation types, and practical experience with registration and compliance monitoring.

The city may adjust enforcement priorities, fine amounts, or processes based on what proves effective. Staying compliant from the start positions you well regardless of how enforcement evolves.

The Bottom Line: Yes, Airbnb is Legal in Houston with Compliance

To directly answer the question: Is Airbnb legal in Houston? Yes, absolutely—but only if you comply with the city's regulations.

Legal operation requires:

1. Registering your property and obtaining a Certificate of Registration
2. Maintaining $1 million in liability insurance
3. Paying all required hotel occupancy taxes
4. Following operational requirements including emergency contact availability, noise ordinances, and safety standards
5. Displaying your registration number on all listings
6. Renewing your certificate annually
7. Operating within any applicable HOA restrictions or deed limitations

Houston's regulatory framework doesn't ban Airbnb or make short-term rentals illegal. Instead, it creates a system ensuring STRs operate professionally, pay fair taxes, and don't negatively impact neighborhood quality of life.

For New Hosts

If you're considering starting an Airbnb in Houston, the answer is yes—it's legal and the market remains strong. Houston's diverse economy, major events, medical tourism, and business travel create consistent demand for quality short-term accommodations.

However, factor compliance costs into your investment analysis:

• $308.10 annual registration fee
• $1 million liability insurance premiums
• 17% hotel occupancy taxes (collected from guests but part of your pricing structure)
• Time and administrative costs for registration and compliance maintenance

These costs are manageable and shouldn't deter you from Houston's profitable STR market, but they're real expenses that affect your returns.

For Existing Hosts

If you've been operating an Airbnb in Houston, you must register by January 1, 2026 to continue legally. The 180-day grace period means existing operators should prioritize registration immediately.

Failure to register by the enforcement deadline exposes you to:

• $100-$500 daily fines for each day you operate unregistered
• Platform listing removal after city notification
• Inability to legally advertise or generate bookings
• Legal liability if incidents occur without proper insurance or registration

The transition from Houston's previous unregulated environment to comprehensive STR oversight requires action. Don't assume you can continue operating as before—register and comply to protect your investment.

Working with Sora Stays for Houston STR Success

Navigating Houston's new regulatory requirements while maximizing your rental income requires expertise and ongoing compliance management. At Sora Stays, we specialize in comprehensive Houston Airbnb property management that handles every aspect of legal operation.

Complete Registration Support

Our team manages your entire Houston STR registration process:

• Gathering all required documentation
• Obtaining proper insurance and tax registrations
• Completing applications accurately and completely
• Tracking approval status and addressing any issues
• Handling annual renewals to maintain uninterrupted registration

You don't need to navigate the registration portal or track requirements yourself—we ensure you're completely compliant from day one.

Ongoing Compliance Management

Beyond initial registration, we maintain your legal status through:

• 24/7 emergency contact services meeting Houston's availability requirements
• Professional guest screening reducing the risk of problem stays
• Immediate response to any neighbor concerns or city inquiries
• Maintenance of all required records and documentation
• Proactive updates when regulations change

Optimized Operations

Our full-service management maximizes your returns while protecting your compliance:

• Dynamic pricing strategies that account for Houston's market conditions
• Professional guest communications that set clear expectations and reduce violations
• Regular property inspections maintaining safety and building code compliance
• Detailed financial reporting tracking income, expenses, and tax obligations
• Expert cleaning and property care exceeding Houston's standards

Whether you're launching a new Houston Airbnb or transitioning an existing operation to comply with the new ordinance, Sora Stays provides the expertise and support ensuring you operate legally while achieving optimal returns.

Schedule a consultation to learn how our Houston property management services can help you navigate registration, maintain compliance, and maximize your short-term rental success.

Bottom TLDR

Is Airbnb legal in Houston? Yes, Airbnb is legal in Houston starting January 1, 2026 with mandatory registration under Ordinance 2025-322. Houston STR operators must obtain a Certificate of Registration ($308.10 annually), maintain $1M liability insurance, comply with 17% hotel occupancy taxes, provide 24/7 emergency contacts, and follow operational requirements including noise ordinances and safety codes. Register at Houston's STR portal now—operating without registration results in $100-$500 daily fines and platform removal, but compliant hosts can legally operate throughout Houston's strong short-term rental market.

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