Texas Porch

Short-Term Rentals

Houston Now Requires Short-Term Rental Registration

If you rent out a home on Airbnb or a similar platform inside Houston city limits, the city now requires you to register and pay fees.

Harris County Rules & Licenses

Houston passed a short-term rental (STR) law in April 2025. Registration opened October 1, 2025. Enforcement began January 1, 2026. The annual fee is $275 per property. A short-term rental is any home rented for fewer than 30 days in a row.

Hosts must post a 24-hour emergency contact number. They must also complete human trafficking awareness training. Properties cannot be advertised as event venues. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO must take down listings for unregistered properties within 10 days of city notice. Fines for violations run $100 to $500 per day. This law only applies inside Houston city limits. Unincorporated Harris County has different rules. Check houstontx.gov/ara for current details.

Source to confirm: City of Houston – Short-Term Rental Regulations

More Harris County notes

Appraisal District

Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County

The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets the taxable value of every property in the county each year.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead Exemption Can Cut Your Tax Bill in Harris County

Homeowners who live in their Harris County home as their primary residence can get a significant cut in their property tax bill through the homestead exemption.

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Property Tax Protest

You Can Fight Your Appraisal in Harris County

Harris County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value every year — and many do.

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Municipal Utility Districts

What a MUD Is — and Why It Matters in Harris County

Harris County has hundreds of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that provide water, sewer, and drainage to homes outside city limits.

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