Airbnb Rental Laws and Regulations Galveston, TX

How does Galveston, Texas, define a short-term (Airbnb) rental (STR)?

An accessory building or dwelling unit that is designed to house humans on a temporary basis.
A residential unit that’s rented for any period of time that is less than 30 consecutive days.

Please note that the phrases “short term-rental” and “vacation rental” are interchangeable.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Can investors own more than one vacation rental property in Galveston, Texas?

Yes – There is no limit to how many STRs an investor can own in Galveston, Texas. However, each individual unit must be registered separately every year.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Does Galveston, Texas, have any zoning restrictions for STRs?

Galveston, Texas, does not have zoning laws that pertain to STRs as long as the property is registered as an STR and meets all safety and building codes set forth by the City.

Source – Galveston Park Board of Trustees

In Galveston, Texas, can an investor own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity?

Yes – investors can own and operate Airbnb properties as a business entity in Galveston, Texas. However, the entity must be registered with the state of Texas to obtain the required documents.

Source – Airbnb Galveston

In Galveston, Texas, can investors register accessory dwelling units (ADU), duplexes, and multifamily homes as Vacation Rentals?

Yes, – Galveston, Texas, does not restrict what type of dwelling is used as long as it is properly registered and meets all safety standards.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

What is Galveston, Texas’ requirement for obtaining a Vacation Rental License?

A vacation rental property must be located within the city limits of Galveston.
The property must be registered as a short-term (Airbnb) rental with the City.
A vacation rental license must be obtained from the City of Galveston before renting out the property.
The owner or designated agent of the property must complete an application for a vacation rental license and pay the required fee.
The property must meet certain health and safety standards, including adequate fire exits, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.
The owner or designated agent of the property must maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence.
The owner or designated agent must maintain accurate records of all rentals and make them available to the City upon request.
The property must be inspected by the City of Galveston or a designated third-party inspector to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The owner or designated agent must display the vacation rental license number on all advertisements and on the property itself.
The owner or designated agent must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations, including those related to noise, parking, and occupancy limits.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Source – The City of Galveston TX

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What are the costs associated with a Vacation Rental License in Galveston, Texas?

The only cost associated with a Vacation Rental Licence in Galveston, Texas, is a $250 convenience fee that is paid when you register the property each year.

Source – The City of Galveston TX

Does Galveston, Texas, have Vacation Rental occupancy limits?

Yes, Galveston, Texas, has vacation rental occupancy limits. The maximum occupancy limit for vacation rentals in Galveston is based on the square footage of the rental property, and the limit ranges from 6 to 14 people. The occupancy limit is also dependent on the property’s location within the City, with a lower limit for properties located in certain zoning districts.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Does Galveston, Texas, require an inspection for investors to obtain an STR license? What are the physical and structural requirements for a vacation rental?

Yes, Galveston, Texas, requires an inspection for investors to obtain a Short-Term Rental (STR) license. The inspection is required to ensure the rental property meets health and safety standards, including adequate fire exits, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. The inspection must be conducted by the City of Galveston or by a designated third-party inspector.

In terms of physical and structural requirements, Galveston has a number of regulations in place for vacation rentals. Some of the key requirements include:

The property must be located within the city limits of Galveston.
The property must be registered as an STR with the City.
The owner or designated agent of the property must complete an application for an STR license and pay the required fee.
The property must meet certain health and safety standards, including having adequate fire exits, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.
The property must be inspected by the City of Galveston or by a designated third-party inspector to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The owner or designated agent must maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence.
The owner or designated agent must maintain accurate records of all rentals and make them available to the City upon request.
The property must display the STR license number on all advertisements and on the property itself.
The owner or designated agent must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations, including those related to noise, parking, and occupancy limits.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Does Galveston, Texas, have any responsible agent requirements?

Yes, Galveston, Texas, has responsible agent requirements for vacation rentals. A responsible agent is a designated individual who is responsible for managing and overseeing the rental property on behalf of the owner. The responsible agent must reside in Galveston County and must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to any issues related to the property.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

Does Galveston, Texas, have specific insurance requirements for a Vacation Rental?

Yes, Galveston, Texas, has specific insurance requirements for vacation rentals. Owners or designated agents of vacation rental properties are required to maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence. The insurance policy must name the City of Galveston as an additional insured party.

Source – Galveston, TX Code of Ordinances

What are the duration and renewal terms of a Galveston, Texas, Vacation Rental license?

The duration of a vacation rental license in Galveston, Texas, is one year. License renewal is required annually, and the renewal fee must be paid prior to the expiration of the current license.

Source – The City of Galveston TX

In Galveston, Texas, do Airbnb and VRBO remit taxes on the host’s behalf? Are there any taxes that the host must track and pay directly to Galveston?

Yes, both Airbnb and VRBO are required to collect and remit taxes on behalf of hosts in Galveston, Texas. This includes the hotel occupancy tax, which is currently 9% of the total rent charged for the rental property. Hosts are not required to track or pay these taxes directly to the City of Galveston.

Source – The City of Galveston TX

Who should I contact if I have questions regarding Galveston Texas Vacation Rentals?

If you have questions regarding vacation rentals in Galveston, Texas, you should contact the City of Galveston’s Planning and Development Services Department. They can provide information on the requirements for obtaining a vacation rental license, as well as answer any questions you may have related to zoning, building codes, and other regulations.

Here’s their contact information:

City of Galveston Planning and Development Services Department

823 25th Street

Galveston, TX 77550

Phone: (409) 797-3660

Email: planning@downtowngalveston.org

Source – City of Galveston Planning and Development Services Department