Apply for a Short-Term Rental License

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.

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.

Because the denial of an operating license automatically triggers an appeal process that has stringent deadlines and in-person hearing requirements and to preserve our customers' appeal rights, the Austin Code Department will not be issuing license denials for the duration of the Mayor’s Stay Home - Work Safe order. Once the order has been lifted, denials will be staggered to avoid overwhelming the system ensuring each customer's due process. 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.