April 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 September 11, 2025, the Austin City Council updated the regulations for the short term-rentals industry (City Ordinance N° 20250911-012). And the new STR regulations for operators took effect on October 1, 2025. For more information, please consult the official website of Austin City.
Applicable taxes
Please note misterb&b registered with the State and the City of Austin to collect, respectively, the State and City Hotel Occupancy Taxes. 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. For more information, please visit this official page about HOT in Austin city.
Short-term rental conditions
According to Austin Ordinance Chapter 4-23-1 Art.1(12), short-term rental rental is defined as the rental of a whole or portion of a housing unit for less than 30 consecutive days.
Individual definition. Where limitations applies on individual, the term “individual”, according to Austin Ordinance Chapter 4-23-31(E), an operator qualifies as an individual when the housing unit is owned: (1) only by one or more individuals; (2) by a trust and each trustee and beneficiary are individuals; or (3) by a limited liability company and each member is an individual.
Single-family sites (3 or fewer housing units). According to Austin Ordinance Chapter 4-23-31(B) and (C), an individual may operate up to two STR units on a site and may operate additional STRs elsewhere, provided they are at least 1,000 feet apart.
Mixed-use sites (a site with four or more housing units and at least one commercial use). According to Austin Ordinance Chapter 4-23-31(D)(1), an individual may operate the greater of one unit or 25% of their units on sites with 4 or more residential units and at least one commercial use.
Multi-family residential sites (a site with four or more housing units but no commercial use). According to Austin Ordinance Chapter 4-23-31(D)(2), an individual may operate the greater of one unit or 10% of their units.
Short-term rental registration
More information about the STR registration process can be found on this official page.
Registration process. The registration can be completed online.
Renewal. STR licenses are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. STR operating license renewals must be submitted 60 days before an active license expires: the renewal process can be completed online.
Hosts must add their registration number to their misterb&b listing (on the “Legal requirements and taxes” page from “Manage my listing”). misterb&b is not allowed to let Hosts operate a STR without a valid registration number. In absence of such numbers, affected listings may be deactivated.
Maintaining compliance
Hosts must respect all the applicable rules and legal requirements, including the requirements of the local, county, State and federal laws and regulations.
- Noise nuisance. The Host is not allowed to (i) use or allow use of sound equipment that produces sound audible beyond the property line between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., (ii) use or allow the use of sound equipment that produces sound in excess of 75 decibels at the property line between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m, or (iii) make or allow another to make noise or play a musical instrument audible to an adjacent business or residence between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Fire and safety. The Host must ensure your STR operations respect the buildings and neighborhood protection requirements pursuant the Austin Code.
- Waste disposal. The Host must ensure your STR operations respect applicable solid waste and litter control requirements pursuant the Austin Code.
- Local contact. The Host, if not living within the Austin Metro Area, must appoint a local contact to respond to emergency situations. The appointed local contact must be present within the Austin Metro Area (Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Bastrop County, or Caldwell County), be available to respond within two hours after being notified of an emergency by an STR guest, City employee or other individual references in section 25-2-792, during any 24-hour period.
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.