Vacation Rental Licensing

Owners of Short-Term Rentals (STRs), sometimes called Vacation Rentals, 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 vacation rental you have.

TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE

Application

Click this link to find the short-term rental license application for your type.

$443.00 (non-refundable) 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 OR Certified Inspection

To obtain your Certificate of Occupancy please call the Development Services Department at 978-4000, or contact by e-mail at DSDHelp@austintexas.gov. If one is not available for your property we ask for a third party STR inspection. Here is a link to inspectors in your area.

Mail to: City of Austin – Austin Code Department, Attn: Finance – STR, PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767. OR you may visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Lane, Bldg. 1, Austin, TX 78754 between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

TO RENEW A LICENSE

$236.00 (non-refundable) Fee

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, 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 or brought in to our office. Mail to: City of Austin – Austin Code Department, Attn: Finance – STR, PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767. OR you may visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Lane, Bldg. 1, Austin, TX 78754 between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Questions? Email: STRlicensing@austintexas.gov