LicensedRental

Texas county rules

Hunt County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes

Hunt County is one of the few Texas counties that zones: within 5,000 feet of Lake Tawakoni, its Lake Tawakoni Planning Commission issues building permits and sets uses. Rentals of less than a month are listed only as a specific use in the resort commercial district, so ask the commission before you list a lake home.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026
Lake zoning
Within 5,000 feet of Lake Tawakoni
Lake Tawakoni Planning Commission, since 1991.Source
Stays under a month
Specific use permit, resort commercial zone
Not listed as a use in residential districts.Source
County hotel tax
None reported
Hunt County doesn’t report a county hotel tax to the Comptroller.Source

Lake-area applications for site plans, zoning permits or certificates of occupancy must show parking locations and dimensions under the 2023 draft. We couldn’t confirm whether the draft was adopted.

What to do

  1. Check whether you’re in the lake planning area

    If your property is within 5,000 feet of Lake Tawakoni’s project boundary, the county’s lake zoning applies. You need a building permit from the Lake Tawakoni Planning Commission before building, altering or converting a building or land.Source

  2. Ask whether short stays are allowed

    The ordinance lists "rental or occupancy for less than one month" only as a specific use in the RC-1 resort commercial district. A 2023 draft rewrite would allow owner-occupied bed and breakfasts (up to six bedrooms, stays up to 14 days a month) with parking of one space plus 0.75 per bedroom. Ask the commission how it treats a whole-home vacation rental.Source

  3. 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. Hunt County doesn’t report a county hotel tax. Inside a city, ask the city about its hotel tax.Source

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 Spot something out of date?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.