Confirm the Property
Verify the address, jurisdiction, property type, eligibility rules, and private restrictions.
Before you list
Waco STR License: Application Guide
Waco STR application guide: verify eligibility, prepare evidence, use the official channel, confirm issuance, and maintain tax and renewal records.
- Property eligibility
- Official sources
- You control every submission
Approval path
One Property, One Ordered Path from Requirements to Renewal.
Prepare the Required Records
Bring the host, ownership, residence, tax, insurance, and supporting records into one file.
Follow 5 Ordered Stages
Work through the government sequence, then retain the submitted record and confirmation.
Verify and Maintain
Confirm the issued approval, publish required details, and track taxes, changes, and renewal.
Do this first
Outcome required before a Waco listing goes live
The target outcome is an active, property-specific Waco Short-Term Rental License.
Short-term rentals require the correct Waco license and, where applicable, separate land-use approval and inspection.
Do not treat a submitted form, fee receipt, or tax account as issuance of the Waco Short-Term Rental License.
License and possible special permit required
Short-term rentals require the correct Waco license and, where applicable, separate land-use approval and inspection.
Warning
Records to resolve before the Waco Short-Term Rental License filing
Use the current Waco source as the checklist owner; stop before payment if the address or rental model has no supported approval path.
Waco Short-Term Rental License application or issued record for the exact Waco property
Verify this record against the current Waco application instructions and retain the matching evidence.
RequiredProperty and operator evidence required by the cited Waco source
Verify this record against the current Waco application instructions and retain the matching evidence.
RequiredTax and renewal records tied to the same Waco address
Verify this record against the current Waco application instructions and retain the matching evidence.
Required
Complete and verify the Waco Short-Term Rental License
Each stage ends with an observable record or a correction path.
Classify the Waco property
Short-term rentals require the correct Waco license and, where applicable, separate land-use approval and inspection. Success means the address and rental model map to one supported approval class. If not, stop before payment or advertising.
Prepare the Waco Short-Term Rental License evidence
Waco Short-Term Rental License application or issued record for the exact Waco property; Property and operator evidence required by the cited Waco source; Tax and renewal records tied to the same Waco address. Success means every record names the same property and responsible party; correct any mismatch before submission.
Submit through the official Waco channel
Use https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Development-Services/Planning-Services/Short-Term-Rentals. The city lists $500 for a license, $100 for inspection, and $250 renewal; confirm the current schedule and any special-permit fee. Success means the agency creates the correct property-specific case and provides a case identifier; correct a returned case instead of opening a conflicting one.
Verify the Waco Short-Term Rental License is active
Success is the issued or active Waco Short-Term Rental License, not a payment or submitted status. Do not advertise until the official record shows the required approval.
Set the Waco tax and renewal controls
Waco states a 7% city hotel occupancy tax, separate from Texas state hotel tax where applicable. Renew the license and maintain zoning approval, inspection status, and city and state hotel tax accounts.
Maintain the issued Waco Short-Term Rental License
Keep the approval tied to the same property, operator, tax accounts, and continuing conditions.
Retain the active Waco Short-Term Rental License
Keep the issued record and property-specific identifier with the Waco compliance file.
RequiredMaintain the Waco tax account
Waco states a 7% city hotel occupancy tax, separate from Texas state hotel tax where applicable.
RequiredFollow the Waco Short-Term Rental License renewal cycle
Renew the license and maintain zoning approval, inspection status, and city and state hotel tax accounts.
RequiredRecheck before a property or operator change
Return to the cited Waco source before relying on the existing approval after a material change.
Required
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What proves the Waco filing succeeded?
An active, property-specific Waco Short-Term Rental License; payment or submitted status alone is not issuance.
Where is the Waco application started?
Use the official channel at https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Development-Services/Planning-Services/Short-Term-Rentals.
What if the Waco case is returned?
Use the agency response for the Waco Short-Term Rental License to correct the specific property, category, prerequisite, or evidence mismatch before resubmitting the same case.
What continues after approval?
Waco states a 7% city hotel occupancy tax, separate from Texas state hotel tax where applicable. Renew the license and maintain zoning approval, inspection status, and city and state hotel tax accounts.