Texas county rules
Nueces County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes
Nueces County’s rental market is Corpus Christi (including North Padre Island) and Port Aransas on Mustang Island, and both cities require a short-term rental registration. The county has no rental rules of its own.
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
Towns
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi requires a $250 yearly short-term rental registration. Rentals that aren’t the owner’s home are capped at 15% of a block face, and single-family zones on Padre and Mustang islands don’t allow them. The application needs a floor plan showing sleeping areas, evacuation routes, and fire extinguishers. Airbnb collects the 6% state and 9% city hotel taxes.
Full guidePort Aransas
Port Aransas allows short-term rentals only in R-2 and higher zones and requires a yearly registration that includes an inspection: $200 for a one-bedroom plus $100 for each extra bedroom. A 24/7 contact must resolve hotline complaints within 60 minutes. Stays owe 6% state plus 9% city hotel tax (15% total since January 2026), which owners file monthly; Airbnb doesn’t collect the city tax.
Sources
- County zoning authority (Local Government Code ch. 231) · Texas Legislature
- Texas beach towns Airbnb market data (active homes) · AirROI
- Padre Island zoning (Local Government Code § 231.011) · Texas Legislature (via Public.Law)
- 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 Spot something out of date?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.