Houston’s new STR ordinance has passed with key registration requirements and deadlines that every host must follow. Learn what has passed and how to stay compliant.
Howdy Houstonians!
Houston’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance officially passed on April 16, 2025, following months of public discussions, City Council debates, and proposed amendments. For property owners and operators across Houston, this marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on mandatory registration, stronger enforcement, and updated operational standards for short-term rentals. The ordinance aims to improve safety, increase accountability, and create clearer expectations for how STRs must operate within city limits.
In our last Property Pulse article, we covered the proposed amendments the City Council was considering. Now that the ordinance has been approved, here’s what you need to know: what’s been passed, what it means for you, and key details on when it comes into effect.
Final Changes You Should Know
From the last general meeting hosted by the City Council, several of the discussed amendments officially made it into the final ordinance. These updates aim to clarify responsibilities, tighten enforcement, and enhance safety across Houston’s short-term rental landscape.
Who Needs to Register? (Amendment 1b Passed)
In this amendment, two versions were presented to determine who would be legally held responsible when issues arise. City Council ultimately chose Amendment 1b, which requires the owner and/or the operator of a short-term rental to register with the city. This choice was made over 1a, as including the owner helps protect STR owner rights, prevents legal complications, and ensures greater accountability.
- “Each owner and/or operator of a short-term rental operating within the city limits shall register their short-term rental with the city…”
By naming both parties, the city ensures that if an incident occurs, the party responsible will be held accountable.
Penalties for Repeat Offenders (Amendment 2 Finalized)
Amendment 2 sets a clear standard for enforcement: if three or more certificates of registration tied to the same owner or operator are revoked within a 24-month period, the City may initiate proceedings to revoke all remaining STR registrations held by that party.
- “…the Director may initiate proceedings to revoke all remaining certificates of registration held by that property owner or operator.”
City Council found the clear, fixed-number approach satisfactory and replaced the prior Amendment 2 language, which tied revocations to 25% of an owner’s certificates. This change is important because it sets a clear, consistent limit instead of one that shifts based on how many units an owner has.
New Safety and Operating Standards
A few other important safety and operational standards were finalized alongside the major changes:
- Human Trafficking Training Required (Amendment 4)
Owners and operators must complete annual training on identifying and reporting human trafficking activities. This aligns STR operators with requirements already in place for Houston’s hotels and motels. - Platform Definitions Clarified (Amendment 5)
The ordinance defines a “platform” as a service that facilitates STR bookings, such as Airbnb or VRBO. However, it explicitly excludes multiple listing services (MLS) like HAR, which do not directly handle STR bookings.
Other Important Regulations
In addition to the amendments publicly discussed, a few other important rules made it into the final ordinance to further strengthen safety and neighborhood standards.
- Emergency Contact Requirement: STR operators must provide a 24-hour emergency contact who can respond within one hour to any issues at the property.
- Display of Registration Number: Once registered, STRs must display their certificate number in online listings and on-site materials.
- Restriction on Event Advertising: STRs are prohibited from advertising themselves as event spaces, helping reduce disruptive gatherings in residential neighborhoods.
Compliance Matters More Than Ever
Now that Houston’s STR ordinance has officially been passed, registration will begin on August 1, 2025, requiring a fee of $275 per listing registered. While it’s essential to register as early as possible, the city has provided a grace period for STR owners, allowing them until January 1, 2026, to complete the process. After this compliance deadline, operating a short-term rental without a valid registration within the City of Houston would be illegal and could result in daily fines between $100 and $500.
If you own or manage a short-term rental, registration is now mandatory to continue hosting legally. Monopoly Property Services is here to make compliance easy. Our STR Ordinance Compliance Consulting Service helps you register properly, meet all city requirements, and our Service Plans keep your rental operating legally, without the stress.
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