LicensedRental

Texas county rules

Cameron County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes

Cameron County’s rental market is South Padre Island and Port Isabel. The county adds its own hotel tax, 2% on most stays and 0.5% inside South Padre Island, filed monthly. The county can zone the unincorporated part of Padre Island.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026
Market
About 2,700 Airbnb listings
South Padre Island 2,450, Port Isabel 270 (AirROI).Source
County hotel tax
2% (0.5% in South Padre Island)
Airbnb doesn’t collect it; file monthly through Localgov.Source
County rental rules
Padre Island only
State law lets the county zone the part of Padre Island in the county.Source

The county’s page and the Comptroller’s data don’t match exactly (the Comptroller shows 2% plus a 2% venue tax, and Port Isabel lists 2.5% plus 0.5%). Confirm your county rate with Cameron County before you file.

What to do

  1. Then pick your city

    Texas counties can’t zone, so rental permits and the local hotel tax are set by each city. Pick your city, or the unincorporated page if you’re outside city limits.Source

  2. File the county hotel tax

    Register your rental in the Localgov portal (choose Cameron County, Texas) and file the county return by the 20th of each month, even with no rentals. Late returns owe a 5% penalty after 30 days.Source

    Cameron County hotel tax →

Towns

Full guide

Port Isabel

Port Isabel requires a short-term rental license before you advertise. Stays owe 6% state, 7% city, and 3% county hotel taxes; Airbnb collects only the state tax.

Full guide

South Padre Island

South Padre Island requires a yearly short-term rental license ($125) with the number on every ad, a 24/7 local contact who responds within an hour, and a smoke detector in every sleeping room. Since 2026, three citations in a year can cost you the license. Stays owe 17% in hotel taxes; Airbnb collects only the 6% state share, so owners file the city and county taxes monthly.

Full guide

Unincorporated Cameron County

Outside city limits there’s usually no rental permit, but state law lets Cameron County zone the part of Padre Island in the county. Stays owe the 6% state hotel tax and Cameron County’s 2%.

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.