Houston, Texas Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Houston Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals are unregulated in Houston unless you are outside of the city limit. You can check out the Houston Land Use Boundary Map here. Zoning is subject to changes, and you should consult City’s Planning and Development Department directly or a local lawyer or tax professional.Business License Requirements
Houston doesn’t have any regulations pertaining to registering short-term rentals. If applicable, apply for all State and County licenses.Building and Housing Standards
Houston has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please consult the City’s Planning and Development Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Hotel occupancy taxes may be imposed by Harris County and the State of Texas on hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses, and other short-term rentals. A guest stay of less than 30 days is considered a "short-term rental." The County's FAQ page, and the State's FAQ page all include more information on the hotel occupancy tax.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Houston City website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.5
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Competition
2.1 -
Real Estate Cost
7.2 -
STR Regulations
10.0 -
Seasonality
8.3 -
Rental Rates
4.7
Houston, Texas Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 2,304,580
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- February to April
- County
- Harris
- Airports
- Houston Metropolitan Area (QHO)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Want to learn more about Houston?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Houston rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Houston rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Houston.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Houston guests.
Interested in other Texas cities?
Check out the Texas short term rental regulations directory
What makes Houston a great place to invest?
The city has a little bit of everything, from world-renowned museums to exciting professional sports. Some of the most popular attractions include:
- Space Center Houston: Houston is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, where visitors can delve into the fascinating world of space exploration. Experience astronaut training, explore the stunning collection of spacecraft, and even touch a moon rock at this premier educational center for all ages.
- World-Class Museums: Houston boasts an impressive Museum District, featuring 19 institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the contemporary Menil Collection. Art, history, and science enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice in this cultural hub.
- Thrilling Sports Action: Sports fans will revel in Houston's passionate sports scene, with professional teams like the NFL's Houston Texans, MLB's Houston Astros, and NBA's Houston Rockets. Don't miss the chance to catch a game at the state-of-the-art stadiums and arenas.
- Buffalo Bayou Park: This 160-acre urban park showcases Houston's stunning natural beauty. Enjoy kayaking, cycling, or running along the picturesque Buffalo Bayou, or simply relax with a picnic while taking in the lush green spaces and the city's impressive skyline.
- Diverse Culinary Scene: Houston is a food lover's paradise, offering a vibrant mix of world-class restaurants and food trucks. The city's diverse culinary landscape represents over 70 countries, with a particular emphasis on mouthwatering Tex-Mex and barbecue dishes.
- Galveston Island: Just an hour's drive from Houston, Galveston Island offers a delightful seaside escape with 32 miles of sun-kissed beaches, historic architecture, and charming attractions like the Moody Gardens and Pleasure Pier. This coastal gem is a must-visit for those seeking fun in the sun and ocean adventures.
Houston Nearby Cities
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15 miles away
- Rating: 6.8
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16 miles away
- Rating: 6.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Houston?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Houston has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $198, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$392,359
2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$198
2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,708
2% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Houston
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Houston, Texas
Common terms for Houston short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Houston has a description approximately 1,255 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 15,797 listings in Houston, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Houston, Place, Perfect, Spacious, Downtown, Pool, Garage, Comfortable, Quiet, and Family.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Houston?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Houston involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, the Health Spa, and Outlet Shopping. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Outlet Shopping
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Cycling
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Swimming
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Adventure Activities
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Water Parks
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Antiquing
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Theme Parks
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Boating
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Houston, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Toyota Center, NRG Stadium, Rice University, and Minute Maid Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Rice University
Included on 85% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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NRG Park
Included on 85% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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NRG Stadium
Included on 85% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Hermann Park
Included on 84% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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MD Anderson Cancer Center
Included on 84% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Houston Zoo
Included on 84% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Toyota Center
Included on 82% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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George R. Brown Convention Center
Included on 82% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Downtown Aquarium
Included on 81% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Houston
Included on 80% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Discovery Green
Included on 79% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Minute Maid Park
Included on 77% of listings
What’s the weather like in Houston, Texas?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 80°, while the average low is about 63°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 44 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Houston are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
49° Low 66° High
Spring
March through May
63° Low 80° High
Summer
June through August
76° Low 93° High
Fall
September through November
65° Low 82° High
Cities Near Houston
Houston, Texas, is located in Harris County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
