Legal Status
Allowed after registering the property and receiving a City-issued Certificate of Registration.
Houston regulates residential properties offered for short-term occupancy through its City registration program.
This guide separates Houston permission to operate from tax registration, private property restrictions, and ongoing renewal obligations.
Houston Rules at a Glance
- Jurisdiction
- City of Houston
- Legal status
- Allowed after registering the property and receiving a City-issued Certificate of Registration.
- Required approval
- Houston Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration
- Government fee
- Pay the registration fee published in the City portal for each application.
- Term / renewal
- Certificates issued on or before December 31, 2026, expire December 31, 2027.
- Primary residence
- The City registration page does not publish a universal primary-residence restriction.
- Inspection
- The City may review the property and investigate compliance with registration and operating rules.
Eligibility & Zoning
Confirm deed restrictions, condominium rules, occupancy approval, and any property-specific limitations independently.
Confirm the government boundary
RequiredVerify that the property is governed by Houston, not a neighboring city or county authority.
Test the residency or occupancy rule
RequiredThe City registration page does not publish a universal primary-residence restriction.
Check zoning and private restrictions
RequiredConfirm deed restrictions, condominium rules, occupancy approval, and any property-specific limitations independently.
Too many forms and requirements?
Let Pine organize the Houston permit checklist around this property.
You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.
Houston Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration Overview
Review the high-level stages here, then use the dedicated application guide for the complete submission sequence and annotated screenshots.
- 1
Create and activate the registration account
Register in the City portal, activate the account from the confirmation email, and sign in.
- 2
Complete the profile and identify the registrant role
Finish the registration profile and choose whether the registrant is the property owner or an operator.
- 3
Enter the property and emergency contact
Find the STR address, identify the owner, and provide the complete 24-hour emergency-contact record.
- 4
Add listing links and hotel-occupancy-tax information
Disclose every booking platform and listing link and provide the applicable hotel-occupancy-tax information.
- 5
Upload documents, review, and submit payment
Complete the application in one session, upload the required records, accept the terms, pay, and retain the confirmation.
Documents to Prepare
Registrant identification and complete contact details
RequiredUse the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.
Property-owner authorization form or a current lease that permits STR use
RequiredUse the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.
Hotel occupancy tax proof or the Airbnb-only attestation described by the City
RequiredUse the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.
Property ownership, 24-hour emergency-contact, platform, and listing information
RequiredUse the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.
Operating Rules After Approval
Display the Certificate of Registration and emergency-contact information at the property.
RequiredKeep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.
Provide the City registration number to every booking platform.
RequiredKeep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.
Complete approved human-trafficking awareness training and retain the certificate for City review.
RequiredKeep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.
Keep application and contact information current through the City portal.
RequiredKeep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.
Government approval does not override private restrictions
A license or registration does not cancel a lease, HOA, condominium, mortgage, or insurance restriction.
Taxes, Renewal & Enforcement
- Tax layer
- State, City, and county hotel occupancy tax responsibilities remain separate from the City registration.
- Filing
- Follow Texas and applicable local HOT filing rules for direct and platform bookings.
- Renewal
- Renew on the schedule associated with the City certificate.
- Deadline
- Register before operating and provide the City number to each booking platform; platform removal notices begin January 1, 2027.
- Enforcement
- Listings without a valid registration number can be referred for platform removal and City enforcement.
Detailed Registration Guide
Use the task page when you are ready to prepare and submit the Houston application.
Your Houston STR Action Plan
Keep the jurisdiction, approval, documents, tax, operating, and renewal work in one property record.
Confirm eligibility before paying
RequiredConfirm deed restrictions, condominium rules, occupancy approval, and any property-specific limitations independently.
Prepare the government application
RequiredOrganize every document needed for the Houston Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration.
Track operating and renewal proof
RequiredRenew on the schedule associated with the City certificate.
Build a Houston STR checklist
Enter the property address and Pine will organize the Houston eligibility, application, tax, document, and renewal work.
You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.
Sources
Review the official Texas and Houston sources used for every rule and step in this guide.
- 1Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQs
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
State hotel occupancy tax responsibilities for short-term rental owners, operators, and platforms.
- 2Short-Term Rentals
City of Houston Administration and Regulatory Affairs
Current Houston registration portal, required applicant and property information, certificates, listing numbers, and platform compliance dates.
- 3Short-Term Rental Video Guides
City of Houston Administration and Regulatory Affairs
Official document overview, registration walkthrough, portal steps, application fields, required uploads, and host guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are short-term rentals legal in Houston?
Allowed after registering the property and receiving a City-issued Certificate of Registration.
What approval is required in Houston?
Houston Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration. Register before operating and provide the City number to each booking platform; platform removal notices begin January 1, 2027.
Is a primary residence required in Houston?
The City registration page does not publish a universal primary-residence restriction.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Regulations and agency procedures can change. Confirm the current requirement with the linked government office before operating or submitting an application.