Franchise Administration
Risk Management
Utility Regulation
Operations
Regulatory Permitting
Parking
311
BARC
Administration & Regulatory Affairs
Short-Term Rentals
Hosts of short-term rentals are required to register with the City before January 1, 2026. The City is anticipating a surge of applications as we begin the new year and the turnaround time for registration approval may take longer than normal. After listening to feedback from many STR hosts who are acclimating to the new requirements, the City requested that advertising platforms delay delisting non-registered STR property advertisements until April 1, 2026.
When advertising on booking sites, Houston STR hosts are required to provide a City-issued registration number to the listing platform once they have completed the registration process. On April 1, 2026, the City will begin notifying platforms to remove STR listings that lack a certificate of registration.
This does not extend the deadline for when enforcement begins. You must still be registered or be in the process of registering in order to avoid a citation for non-compliance if you operate an STR after January 1, 2026.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THESE ITEMS READY BEFORE YOU BEGIN REGISTRATION
Registrant's Details
Your name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address and copy of identification ... Go to More Registrant's Details Info
Property Address
Full street name, city, state and ZIP Code for your short-term rental ... Go to More Property Address Info
Emergency Contact
Name and phone number of contact person or call center for emergencies ... Go to More Emergency Contact Info
Platforms and Listing Links
Name and website links for all listings for the STR being registered ... Go to More Platforms and Listing Links Info
Hotel Occupancy Tax Proof
Listings only on Airbnb do NOT require proof of HOT. Any listings, in addition to or outside of Airbnb, require either proof of HOT remittance or registration on HOT remittance platform ... Go to More Hotel Occupancy Tax Proof Info
Property Owner Authorization
Submit completed City form OR current, valid lease ... Go to More Property Owner Authorization Info
Human Trafficking Awareness Training
Complete prevention training course and retain certificate of completion in your records to provide to the City upon request. Click here for training course information. Full information at the Approved Hotel Employee Human Trafficking Training Programs page.
Video Guides
Step-by-step videos with timestamps explaining the registration process and documents to upload ... Go to More Video Guides Info
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION PORTAL
Make sure you have everything ready to start your STR registration.
ONCE YOU START, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE AND RETURN TO YOUR APPLICATION AT A LATER TIME. THE SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE YOU TO START THE PROCESS OVER IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION WITHIN ONE HOUR.
If you have an STR registration question, please email str@houstontx.gov or call 832-394-8802.
Click graphic above for a Map of Registered Short Term Rentals
STR Links
Property Owner Authorization & Acknowledgement Form
HOT - Proof of Payment or Registration Guide
Director Rules and Regulations