At-Large Position 5
Short-Term Rentals
On March 23, 2023, RNA met to discuss short-term rentals (STRs) in Houston, in response to the complaints I have heard across the city regarding STR “party homes.” An Airbnb representative presented the company’s trust and safety tools, described how residents may report complaints, and explained how the platform works to enforce the company’s global party house ban. Houston First also provided an overview of the city’s STR hotel occupancy tax agreements and collections to date.
The agenda and presentations can be found below:
- Agenda
- AirBNB Presentation | AirBNB Neighborhood Support (webpage)
- Short-term Rental Hotel Occupancy Tax Collections (.pptx)
During the public comment period, the committee heard from several residents regarding a 24-unit apartment complex at 1116 Banks Street that was operating as a STR “hotel.” Residents from several communities described the disruptions and nuisances STRs brought to their neighborhoods. Complaints from council members and public speakers were summarized in a memo for the Mayor, who directed the legal department to look at other cities’ best practices and STR ordinances that have survived court challenges.
Finally, on April 16, 2025, city council approved a new ordinance to hold owners, operators, and occupants accountable for what happens at STRs. Citations for noise, litter, health code violations, and other illegal activities occurring at STRs will be reported monthly to the city’s Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA). The ARA director will have discretion through the ordinance to revoke registrations on problem properties. Those who own or operate multiple STRs could face the inability to rent any of their properties if three or more of their STRs have had their registrations revoked. Online STR platforms will be required to remove the listing of any STR found to be operating without a valid registration within 10 days of being informed by the city.
STR registration began on October 1, 2025 and enforcement will begin on January 1, 2026. For more information, go to https://www.houstontx.gov/ara/str.html.