Texas county rules
Galveston County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes
Galveston County is the biggest vacation rental market on the Texas coast, led by the City of Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula. The county has no rental permit; the rules and the local hotel tax come from each city. The appraisal district taxes short-term rental furnishings as business property.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026What to do
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
Expect a business personal property account
Since May 2024 the Galveston County Appraisal District treats short-term rentals as businesses and values their furnishings and fixtures for property tax. If you disagree with the value, protest by the deadline on your notice.Source
Towns
Galveston
Galveston is the biggest rental market on the Texas coast. Every rental unit needs a Galveston Vacation Rental (GVR) registration, $250 a year, due December 31, with a $500 late fee. You need a 24/7 local contact who responds within an hour and posted guest information, including flood evacuation routes. Stays owe 6% state plus 9% city hotel tax; Airbnb collects both.
Full guideJamaica Beach
Jamaica Beach requires a short-term rental registration with a $250 application fee and a $250 annual operation fee. The application needs a floor plan sketch of the bedrooms and a property sketch of guest parking, and occupancy is two per bedroom plus two. Stays owe 6% state plus 9% city hotel tax; Airbnb collects both.
Full guideKemah
Kemah requires a yearly short-term rental permit, $450 (as low as $300 with a sound monitoring system), and the city inspects each rental to set its maximum occupancy and parking. Stays owe 6% state plus 7% city hotel tax, which owners file quarterly themselves.
Full guideLeague City
League City requires a short-term rental permit, renewed every year by December 1 for $300, with an inspection by December 31. Stays owe 6% state plus 7% city hotel tax; Airbnb collects the city tax.
Full guideUnincorporated Galveston County
Bolivar Peninsula (Crystal Beach, Port Bolivar, Gilchrist) is outside any city, so there’s no rental permit and no city hotel tax we could find. Stays owe the 6% state hotel tax, which Airbnb collects. Deed restrictions are the main limit.
Sources
- County zoning authority (Local Government Code ch. 231) · Texas Legislature
- As short-term rentals bloom, Galveston County, Bay Area cities scramble to regulate them (August 1, 2024) · Community Impact
- Texas beach towns Airbnb market data (active homes) · AirROI
- Local Hotel Occupancy Tax Reporting 2025 · Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (data.texas.gov)
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.