License My Short-Term Rental

Important Updates Regarding August 2023 Ruling Impacting Short-Term Rentals in Austin

A recent ruling from the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division has brought changes that will affect the Short-Term Rental Program.

What does this ruling mean for short-term rentals moving forward?

STRs must continue to be licensed. However, the court ruled that Type 2 licenses must be made available in the same parts of the City where Type 1 licenses are available. Additionally, the court found that individuals who owned their property prior to the approval of the 2016 ordinance are eligible for a Type 2 license. The City stopped issuing new Type 2 licenses in residential neighborhoods in 2016. We are working on updating the online application to accept Type 2 license applications and do not know when it will be ready to “go live”. Until that time, please choose Type 2 Commercial to submit a Type 2 Residential application.

What was the decision-making process behind the regulations related to short-term rentals and when were they established?

The rules pertaining to STRs were established through several ordinances approved by the City Council from 2012 to 2016. The STR rules are meant to balance the use of STRs with the surrounding area and promote neighborhood quality of life, among other goals. For Type 1 rentals, the owner lives on-site to encourage responsiveness to neighbor complaints. Type 2 rentals, by contrast, were primarily zoned to commercial areas where they are more compatible with surrounding uses. As stated above, the ruling changes this by finding that Type 2 licenses must be made available in the same parts of the City where Type 1 licenses are available.
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Development Services Department Code Compliance - STR Relocation

As part of the ongoing merger with the Development Services Department, Code Compliance STR operations have relocated to the Permitting and Development Center located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive.
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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. Report a code violation by calling 3-1-1, using the 3-1-1 app, or by submitting a report online.

To Our Valued STR Customers,

Due to staffing challenges, processing of short-term rental applications is taking 6-8 weeks. Please continue to utilize the options below to submit your STR application, we apologize for these unavoidable delays and are working diligently to review applications as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience.

Thank You,
STR Licensing and Registration Team
DSD Code Compliance

To Apply For a License

1. Application

Click this link to find the STR license application for your type.
Click this link to apply online for a STR operating license.

2. $863.80 (non-refundable) Total Fee (includes $817.00 Application Fee, $45.00 Notification Fee, and $1.80 DSD Technology Fee)

Cash, check or money order payable to the City of Austin. The application fee is non-refundable.
The technology surcharge supports the City's permitting system, also known as the Application Management and Data Automation (AMANDA) system, and provides funding for technology upgrades as well as maintenance of existing systems, software, and hardware used to ensure successful departmental operations.

3. Proof of Property Insurance

Declarations, Information or Summary Pages from your Policy

4. 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 canceled 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

5. Certificate of Occupancy

Visit the Certificate of Occupancy webpage at Development Services for more information on how to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

6. Driver's License

For Type 1 Applications, the information on the driver’s license must match the information for the applicant property.

7. All 3rd Party Agents must have Notarized authorization from Owners allowing them to manage property.

Please do not submit partial applications, all listed documents are required. Partial submissions will not be processed.

Mail Complete Application Packets To:
City of Austin – DSD Code Compliance
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

1. $490.00 (non-refundable) Fee

Credit card, cash, check or money order payable to the City of Austin. The application fee is non-refundable.

2. Proof of Current Property Insurance

Declarations, Information or Summary Pages from your Policy

3. Proof of Payment of City of Austin Hotel Occupancy Taxes

Copy of canceled 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 – DSD Code Compliance
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)

Frequently Asked Questions