January 2026
DISCLAIMER. This page is only designed to give you some help in understanding the regulations you should comply with. We do not pretend the information provided here is to be exhaustive nor current. It is your duty to know and abide by the law. For more information, please contact your local tax authorities or a local legal / tax expert.
On April 16, 2025, City of Houston Ordinance No. 2025-322 entered into effect to regulate the short-term rental industry. Please note we, as an online STR platform, 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. Please also consult the Administration & Regulatory Affairs as other provisions may apply to your hosting activity.
Applicable taxes
Please note misterb&b registered with the State and the City to collect, respectively, the State and Houston Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) on your behalf, for stays not exceeding 29 consecutive days. For more information, check our FAQ about US sales/occupancy tax collection by misterb&b.
You remain responsible for registering for, collecting and/or remitting any other taxes applicable to your hosting activity.
Definitions of STRs
According to the Sec. 28-721 of the Houston Code of Ordinance (HCO), the term “Short-Term Rental” means “a dwelling unit or any portion of a dwelling unit that is rented out or offered to be rented out for a period of less than 30 consecutive days." Please note the term does not include boarding homes, bed and breakfasts, hotels, lodging facilities, alternate housing facilities, and some other specific lodging.
Short-term rental registration
Every STR must be registered with the City.
Registration process. The registration can be completed online. Please note supporting documentation may be required, and a non-refundable application fee must be paid.
Renewal. The Home-Sharing registration must be renewed annually. Renewal can be completed through the Online Registration Portal.
Expiration. Each certificate of registration is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance unless revoked or otherwise invalidated under this article. Renewal must be submitted no more than 90 calendar days prior to the expiration.
Ownership. Please note that a certificate of registration issued to a registrant is nontransferable and shall not be assigned nor transferred to another person, entity, or location.
You must add your registration number to your misterb&b listing ( on the “Legal requirements and taxes” page from “Manage my listing”). misterb&b is not allowed to let you operate a STR without a valid registration number. In absence of such numbers, affected listings may be deactivated.
Maintaining compliance
You, as a Host, must respect all the applicable rules and legal requirements, including the requirements of the local, county and State laws and regulations
Nuisance. You must ensure your STR operations do not create nuisance under the noise and sound level regulations under Chapter 30 of the Houston Code.
Fire and safety. You must ensure your STR operations respect the buildings and neighborhood protection requirements under Chapter 10 of the Houston Code.
Waste disposal. You must ensure your STR operations respect applicable solid waste and litter control requirements pursuant to Chapter 39 of the Houston Code.
Neighborhood respect. You must ensure your STR operations respect applicable buildings and neighborhood protection requirements under Chapter 10 of the Houston Code.
Emergency contact. You must post, in the STR, the names and telephone numbers of one or more emergency contact persons. Such emergency contact persons listed under section 28-731(b)(5) of this Code must be available by phone at all times to respond to emergency conditions while any occupants are on the premises of a short-term rental. If called, the emergency contact person shall respond to the emergency condition within one hour after being notified by the emergency response personnel or the director.
Third-party rules
Community rules. You must abide by other contracts or rules binding you, such as co-op rules, CC&Rs, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations.
Lease contract. If you are a renter, you must get the written permission from your landlord to use the property as a STR.
by Sandra B. and Cédric D.