Houston has rolled out a new system that changes how short-term rentals operate across the city. Starting January 1, 2026, every qualifying short-term rental must be registered with the City and have a reliable emergency contact available at all times.
These two requirements sit at the center of the new framework. Registration tells the City which properties are operating as short-term rentals. Emergency contact accountability ensures someone can respond quickly if an issue happens at the property. Together, they now determine whether a short-term rental can operate without enforcement action.
If You Rent for Fewer Than 30 Days, This Applies to You
Houston defines short-term rentals as residential properties rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. If a property meets that definition, it must follow the new Houston STR rules.
How often the property is rented does not matter. A home rented once a month, once a year, or every weekend is treated the same. There are no exemptions based on booking volume, platform, or host type.
If the property qualifies as a short-term rental, registration is required.
Registration Is No Longer Optional
Under the new framework, registration is the starting point for compliance.
Hosts must submit a registration to the City for each short-term rental property. Once approved, the City issues a certificate of registration and a registration number tied to that property.
This registration number is now the official proof that a short-term rental is recognized by the city. Without it, the property is considered out of compliance once enforcement applies.
Platform Visibility Does Not Equal Compliance
Houston has made a clear distinction between enforcement and listing visibility.
April 1, 2026 is the date when the city will begin notifying advertising platforms to remove short-term rental listings that do not have a certificate of registration. Until that date, some listings may remain visible on booking platforms even if registration is incomplete.
This delay does not suspend enforcement. A listing appearing online does not indicate compliance. The city bases enforcement decisions on registration status, not whether a property is currently advertised.
Your Registration Number Must Be on Your Listings
Once a short-term rental is registered, the City issues a registration number. Hosts must provide that number to every booking platform where the property is advertised.
Platforms use the registration number to confirm whether a listing meets city requirements. When platform notifications begin, listings without a valid registration number are subject to removal.
This applies to all platforms and all listings connected to the property.
Houston Now Requires a Real Emergency Contact
Registration alone is not enough. Houston also requires every short-term rental to have a dependable emergency contact.
Hosts must provide the name and phone number of someone who can be reached if a problem happens at the property. This can be an individual or a call center. The key requirement is reachability.
The city expects this contact to respond if issues involve guests, neighbors, or property conditions. This rule reflects Houston’s focus on safety and accountability in residential neighborhoods.
Emergency Contact Information Must Remain Accurate
Emergency contact information is not a one-time submission. Hosts are expected to maintain current and accurate contact details throughout the life of the registration.
If the City attempts to reach the listed emergency contact and cannot, this may affect registration standing or compliance status. Hosts should review emergency contact arrangements regularly, especially if management or operational responsibilities change.
Responder accountability is a continuing obligation tied to the registration framework.
What Hosts Need to Register Successfully
Before starting registration, hosts should prepare the required information to avoid delays.
Each registration requires the host’s name, contact information, mailing address, and a copy of identification. The full street address of the short-term rental must be provided, and each property must be registered separately.
Hosts must also list all booking platforms and provide links to active listings. Emergency contact details are required as part of the application.
Hotel Occupancy Tax requirements depend on how the property is advertised. Listings advertised only on Airbnb do not require proof of tax remittance. Listings advertised outside of Airbnb must provide proof of remittance or registration on the Hotel Occupancy Tax platform.
If the registrant is not the property owner, a city authorization form or valid lease is required. Hosts must also complete approved human trafficking awareness training and keep the certificate on file for City review upon request.
Ongoing Compliance Responsibilities for Short-Term Rentals
The Houston framework shifts short-term rental compliance from a one-time registration task to an ongoing responsibility.
Hosts must ensure that registration information remains accurate, emergency contact details remain current, and booking platforms display the correct registration number. Any changes to listings, ownership, or emergency contact arrangements may require updates to registration records.
Compliance should be treated as part of regular operations, not as a one-time filing.
Common Mistakes STR Hosts Are Making
- Some hosts assume their listing is compliant because it is still online. That assumption is incorrect. Platform visibility does not determine compliance.
- Others believe that occasional renting avoids the rules. That is also incorrect. All qualifying short-term rentals must register.
- Incomplete applications are another common issue. Missing documents can slow approval and increase exposure during enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Short-Term Rentals in Houston
Are short-term rentals still allowed in Houston
Yes. Short-term rentals remain permitted, but they must be registered with the city.
Is registration required for properties rented only a few times per year
Yes. Registration applies regardless of booking frequency.
Does the emergency contact need to be on site
No. The City allows either an individual or a call center to serve as the emergency contact, as long as they are reachable.
The Role of Short-Term Rental Management Services
Mandatory registration and emergency responder accountability add operational responsibility for hosts. This is where short-term rental management services like Beenstay come in. Management providers help organize compliance tasks, maintain emergency contact coverage, and track registration requirements within the markets they serve. Beenstay provides compliance support across all plans, helping owners maintain required documentation and responder accountability in the markets where it operates. Regardless of management support, hosts remain responsible for meeting Houston requirements and should evaluate services based on coverage, regulatory familiarity, and clearly defined responsibilities.