Can you run an Airbnb in Houston? Yes, if you register. Since January 1, 2026, every short-term rental in Houston needs a City registration certificate: $275 a year per unit plus a $33.10 application fee. Houston has no zoning limits on short-term rentals, no residency requirement and no cap on how many you can own, but HOA rules, leases and deed restrictions can still block one. You'll need a 24/7 local emergency contact, human trafficking awareness training and proof you're paying Hotel Occupancy Tax, which adds up to 17% inside city limits. Listings must show your registration number and maximum occupancy, and parties and events can't be advertised.

Houston also stretches into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, where county hotel taxes differ, so the exact rules depend on your address.