Owners of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are required by the City of Austin to obtain an operating license and renew annually. Swipe left on the table below to view all 3 Short-Term Rental types when viewing this on a mobile device.
Type 1Owner-Occupied (single-family, multifamily or duplex) |
Type 2*Not Owner-Occupied (single-family or duplex) |
Type 3Either Owner-Occupied or Not Owner-Occupied (multifamily, not a duplex) |
|
|
|
Type 1 Definition:Are owner-occupied or associated with an owner-occupied principal residence Include the rental of an entire dwelling unit OR If only part of the unit, include at a minimum a sleeping room (with shared full bathroom), is limited to a single party of individuals, and the owner is generally present during the rental |
Type 2 Definition:Are not owner-occupied or associated with an owner-occupied principal residence Are single-family or duplex properties Include rental of an entire dwelling unit |
Type 3 Definition:Are either owner-occupied or not owner-occupied Are part of a multifamily use (apartments, condos, etc.) property Include the rental of an |
Type 1 Rules:Owners must provide documentation that the property is owner-occupied or is associated with an owner-occupied principal residential unit. Ownership information on your application must match the deed as recorded with the Travis County Clerk's office or Williamson County Clerk's office. |
Type 2 Rules:§ 25-2-789 SHORT-TERM RENTAL (TYPE 2) REGULATIONS (D): A short-term rental (Type 2) use may not be located on a lot that is within 1000 feet of a lot on which another short-term rental (Type 2) use is located. Ownership information on your application must match the deed as recorded with the Travis County Clerk's office or Williamson County Clerk's office. |
Type 3 Rules:Owners must provide documentation of the total number of buildings on the property and the number of units per building. Owners must comply with applicable geographic caps. Contact us for more information. Ownership information on your application must match the deed as recorded with the Travis County Clerk's office or Williamson County Clerk's office. |
Type 1 Application Form:Type 1 Application Form (PDF 337KB) Annual Renewal Required (download .pdf application) |
Type 2 Commercial Application Form: Please email: STRLicensing@austintexas.gov for a Type 2 commercial application. Availability must be confirmed by staff. *Only allowed in the following commercial zoning districts: Central Business District (CBD) Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) Planned Unit Development (PUD) General-Retail - Mixed Use (GR-MU) Commercial Services - Mixed Use (CS-MU) Commercial Services - Vertical Mixed Use (CS-V) General Retail - Vertical Mixed Use (GR-V) Annual Renewal Required |
Type 3 Application Form:Type 3 Application Form (PDF 330KB) Annual Renewal Required (download .pdf application) |
Return to the Short-Term Rental Licensing homepage to apply for a Short-Term Rental license.
Background:
In August 2012, the Austin City Council passed an ordinance requiring a license to operate a STR (single-family and two-family properties). The ordinance was amended in September 2013 and then again in February 2016.