Owners of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are required to obtain an operating license annually (Ordinance No. 20160223-A.l). This law applies to all properties (including rooms and guest houses) rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Find out what type of Short-Term Rental you have. For questions, please email: STRlicensing@austintexas.gov.
The Moratorium on License Expirations Ended August 16, 2020.
Customers have until April 30, 2021 to submit renewals for Expired licenses. RENEWALS CANNOT BE SUBMITTED THROUGH AUSTIN FINANCE ONLINE (AFO). Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) must be paid prior to renewal submission.
There are two options for submitting your renewal:
- USPS – Mail all required documents and payment to P.O. Box 1088 postmarked by April 30, 2021.
- Electronically Not Through AFO - AFO will not allow licenses with a status of Expired to be renewed through the web site. Email required documents to strlicensing@austintexas.gov and a licensing staff member will contact you with information about how to submit the renewal fee. All required documents must be received by April 30, 2021.
- A short-term rental license is required to operate a short-term rental within the City of Austin’s jurisdiction. Operators who do not obtain the required license may be subject to enforcement action including fines up to $2000.00 a day for violations.
For questions regarding Hotel Occupancy Taxes, please contact the Controller’s Office (aka AFO) at 512-974-2590 or hotels@austintexas.gov. Austin Code licensing staff are unable to assist with tax questions.
To Our Valued STR Customers,
With events surrounding COVID-19 developing rapidly, along with the need to take proactive steps to protect the health and safety of our City’s staff and residents, the Austin Code Department’s Intake Office is closed to walk-in customers until further notice. Please utilize one of the options listed below to apply for an operating license. If you have any questions, we encourage you to email: STRlicensing@austintexas.gov.
If you would like to meet with STR Application Intake Staff in person, please email STRlicensing@austintexas.gov to schedule an appointment. Please note: Customers will need to complete a screening by Austin Code Department Safety staff before being admitted to the Austin Code Department office area and face masks must be properly worn at all times while in the office.
We appreciate your patience as we continue to adjust our operations in response to this event. Please schedule an appointment ahead of your visit by emailing STRlicensing@austintexas.gov.
Thank You,
Licensing and Registration Team
Austin Code Department
TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE
- Application
- Click this link to find the short-term rental license application for your type.
- $567.00 (non-refundable) Total Fee (includes $50.00 Notification Fee)
- Cash, check or money order payable to the City of Austin. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Proof of Property Insurance
- Declarations, Information or Summary Pages from your Policy
- Proof of Payment of City of Austin Hotel Occupancy Taxes (if applicable; IF you have been using your property as a Short-Term Rental then proof of hotel occupancy taxes is required)
- Copy of cancelled check, AND
- Copy of the Most Recent Quarter Tax Report submitted to the City Controller’s Office, OR
- If you have not had any renters in this quarter, a copy of the zero report filed
- Certificate of Occupancy
- To obtain your Certificate of Occupancy from Development Services Department, please call 3-1-1.
- Driver's License
- All 3rd Party Agents must have Notarized authorization from Owners allowing them to manage property.
Mail to:
City of Austin – Austin Code Department
Attn: Finance – STR
PO Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767
Online: Click here to visit the new online registration and renewal website.
Questions? Email STRlicensing@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-9144.
TO RENEW A LICENSE
- $310.00 (non-refundable) Fee
- Credit card, cash, check or money order payable to the City of Austin. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Proof of Current Property Insurance
- Declarations, Information or Summary Pages from your Policy
- Proof of Payment of City of Austin Hotel Occupancy Taxes
- Copy of cancelled check used to pay HOT Fees, AND
- Copy of the Most Recent Quarter Tax report submitted to the City Controller’s Office, OR
- If you have not had any renters in this quarter, a copy of the zero report filed
The license must be renewed before it expires. If the owner and/or street address of the STR have changed, you MUST submit a new application with signatures from all owners and the owner’s agent, if applicable. If other application information has changed, the information must be sent in a letter signed by the owner, without having to submit a new application.
To renew the Operating License of your Short-Term Rental (STR), the required documents and licensing fee can be mailed, brought in to our office, or submitted online.
Mail to:
City of Austin – Austin Code Department
Attn: Finance – STR
PO Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767
Online: Click here to visit the new online registration and renewal website.
Questions? Email STRlicensing@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-9144.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Open Data Portal: Short-Term Rental Locations
Memo to Council: Response to Resolution No. 20181129-041
Austin Build & Connect: Public Search (Operating License)