SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOUSING City College Station
An ordinance regulating short-term rental housing in College Station goes into effect
Oct. 1, 2020. A short-term rental is a residential unit that’s rented out for fewer than 30
consecutive days. It includes single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multi-
family units, and manufactured homes.
Short-term rental operators must have a permit and collect and remit hotel occupancy
taxes. The ordinance was approved by the city council on June 25, 2020, and included a
90-day implementation timeline to establish procedures, set up hotel tax collection, and
allow STR hosts to get permitted. A permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance
and must be renewed annually.
Short-term Rental Permit Fee - $100
Short-term Rental Inspection Fee - $100
Short-term Rental Re-Inspection Fee - $104
Short-term Rental Permit Renewal Fee - $75
Short-term rental operators also must:
● Provide an informational brochure to guests that includes pertinent
neighborhood information, how to contact the operator, and local emergency
numbers.
● Equip the dwelling with working life safety equipment such as smoke detectors,
carbon monoxide detectors if using gas/propane, and one fire extinguisher per
floor.
● Maintain the unit in compliance with applicable city codes.
● Collect and remit hotel occupancy tax from guest stays, filing on a monthly basis
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT
STEP 1
Request access to the online permitting system by emailing STR@cstx.gov with your
name, permanent (i.e., your homestead property) address, email address, and phone
number. You must receive a login and password before applying online.
STEP 2
Know your STR type. The ordinance permits three categories of STRs, and the zoning of
your property is relevant to your respective category. To see the zoning for your property
as well as the locations of permitted STR's, click on this interactive map.
● Short Term Rental I
● Short Term Rental II
● Short Term Rental III
Non-Owner-Occupied STRs: Homes in General Suburban, Restricted Suburban, or
Wellborn Restricted Suburban may receive permits and be operated as STRs only if they
are owner-occupied. At the time of adoption, the ordinance included a two-month
grandfathering period when operators of non-owner-occupied properties already
operated as STRs could apply for a permit with proof that the unit had previously been
used as a short-term rental and evidence of hotel occupancy tax remittance. The
grandfathering period expired Nov. 27, 2020.
STEP 3
Apply online. Be sure to include the proper documentation: homestead exemption (if
required), Guest Information Guide, and hotel occupancy tax evidence, if applicable.
STEP 4
When notified, schedule your Life Safety Inspection to ensure your STR meets the
ordinance’s life safety requirements. For most STRs, inspections are also required for
renewal.
STEP 5
Receive your permit when your application is approved.
STEP 6
Register with Avenu Insights to set up your hotel occupancy tax remittance and report
filing. The ordinance requires that Hotel Occupancy Taxes be assessed and collected by
short-term rental operators. The Code of Ordinances authorizes a hotel occupancy tax
equal to 7% of the occupant's consideration where the cost of occupancy is at least $2
per day.
On the last business day of the month after the month of collection, entities required to
collect the tax must file a report and remit the appropriate taxes. Failure to submit the
report and remit payment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and a penalty of 15% of
the tax due for every 30 days that the report is not filed or the payment is not made.
FAQS - HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX
What are hotel occupancy taxes?
How are local hotel occupancy taxes used?
Are short-term rental units required to collect & remit hotel
occupancy taxes?
What is the hotel occupancy tax rate for College Station?
How often do hotel occupancy taxes have to be submitted?
I own a short-term rental. How do I submit these taxes?
I thought Airbnb takes care of my required taxes?
Is there a penalty for late filings?
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about the STR ordinance or registration process:
Code Enforcement Division
Community Services Department
979.764.6363
str@cstx.gov
For complaints about STR operators:
Code Enforcement Division
Community Services Department
979.764.6363
codeenforcement@cstx.gov
SeeClickFix
For questions about Hotel Occupancy Tax:
Avenu Insights
800.556.7274
clientsupport@avenuinsights.com
