Houston STR Registration: Step-by-Step

What You Will Complete

The goal is an active Houston Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration tied to the correct property, operator, tax accounts, and listing information.

Before You Apply

• Confirm jurisdiction and eligibility

  Required

  Confirm deed restrictions, condominium rules, occupancy approval, and any property-specific limitations independently.

• Resolve the residency rule

  Required

  The City registration page does not publish a universal primary-residence restriction.

• Registrant identification and complete contact details

  Required

  Use a current, complete copy that matches the applicant and property address.

• Property-owner authorization form or a current lease that permits STR use

  Required

  Use a current, complete copy that matches the applicant and property address.

• Hotel occupancy tax proof or the Airbnb-only attestation described by the City

  Required

  Use a current, complete copy that matches the applicant and property address.

• Property ownership, 24-hour emergency-contact, platform, and listing information

  Required

  Use a current, complete copy that matches the applicant and property address.

Application Steps

Complete the process through the official Houston Short-Term Rental Registration Portal.

1. 1

   Step 1: Create and activate the registration account

   Register in the City portal, activate the account from the confirmation email, and sign in.

   

2. 2

   Step 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. 3

   Step 3: Enter the property and emergency contact

   Find the STR address, identify the owner, and provide the complete 24-hour emergency-contact record.

   

4. 4

   Step 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. 5

   Step 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.

Verify the Result

• Confirm the government status is active

  Required

  Do not treat a payment receipt, draft, or pending record as final approval unless the authority expressly allows it.

• Check the listing number

  Required

  Confirm every platform displays the exact approved number and property information.

• Calendar tax and renewal work

  Required

  Follow Texas and applicable local HOT filing rules for direct and platform bookings. Renew on the schedule associated with the City certificate.

Common Causes of Delay or Denial

• Wrong jurisdiction or property type

  Confirm deed restrictions, condominium rules, occupancy approval, and any property-specific limitations independently.

• Applicant and property records do not match

  Names, unit identifiers, ownership, residency, and tax accounts should use consistent information.

• Missing operating prerequisites

  The City may review the property and investigate compliance with registration and operating rules. The City registration page does not list a standalone insurance upload; confirm owner, lease, and platform coverage separately.

Organize the Houston Application

Turn the government checklist into one sequence with an owner for every remaining item.

• Create one application workspace

  Required

  Keep the portal link, current forms, applicant details, property records, and payment evidence together.

• Assign every unresolved requirement

  Required

  Record who will complete each document, account, inspection, notice, or correction before submission.

• Save approval proof and the next deadline

  Required

  Store the final government record with the property, then calendar the tax and renewal work. Renew on the schedule associated with the City certificate.

Sources

Review the official sources used for the Houston application, tax, and operating steps.

1. 1
   Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQs

   Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

   State hotel occupancy tax responsibilities for short-term rental owners, operators, and platforms.

2. 2
   Short-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.

3. 3
   Short-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