Hays County, Texas
Wimberley, TX vacation rental requirements
Every short-term rental in Wimberley needs a conditional use permit approved by the city council after public hearings, except an owner-occupied rental in a commercial zone. Whole-home rentals can no longer get a permit in the R-3 zone. A moratorium on new applications ended in September 2026. Stays owe 6% state plus 7% city hotel tax.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
The council adopted the new ordinance on August 20, 2026 and resumed taking applications September 3. Existing permits keep their original terms. The city didn’t cap the number of rentals.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Texas
Know who pays the hotel tax
Airbnb collects and pays the 6% state hotel tax on its bookings. If guests pay you directly or through a site that doesn’t collect, register with the Comptroller and file the state tax yourself.Source
Register for local hotel tax
Your city (and in some places your county) charges its own hotel tax, filed with that city or county, not the state. Airbnb pays it only in the places on its list; everywhere else you register and file it yourself, even for Airbnb bookings.Source
Check your city’s rules
Many Texas cities require a short-term rental permit or registration, and some require an inspection, a local contact, or posted rules. Outside city limits there’s usually no permit, but deed restrictions and HOA rules often limit rentals. Pick your area for the local rules.Source
Hays County, Texas
Then your city
Texas counties can’t zone, so rental rules come from the city your home is in. Outside city limits there’s usually no permit, but deed restrictions and HOA rules may limit rentals. Pick your city.Source
City of Wimberley
Check whether you’re in city limits
Much of the Wimberley Valley is outside the city, where no permit is needed. Inside the city, check your zoning with the city planner.Source
Apply for a conditional use permit
Apply to the city with the required documents and fee. The city posts a sign on the property and mails notices to owners within 200 feet. If owners of 20% of the neighboring land object, four of five council members must approve. Septic, parking, noise, and dark-sky lighting must comply.Source
Hotel taxes on each stay
Stays of 29 nights or less owe the 6% state hotel tax, which Airbnb collects on its bookings. If guests pay you directly, file it with the Texas Comptroller. Wimberley’s 7% hotel tax isn’t on Airbnb’s collection list; register with the city and file it yourself.Source
Sources
- Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQs: Airbnb · Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Texas · Airbnb
- County zoning authority (Local Government Code ch. 231) · Texas Legislature
- Short Term Rental · City of Wimberley
- Texas Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
- Wimberley City Council adopts ordinance on short-term rentals, lifts moratorium (August 27, 2026) · Hays Free Press
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.