LicensedRental

Texas county rules

Travis County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes

Travis County has no short-term rental rules of its own and no county hotel tax. Austin licenses every short-term rental in its city limits; Lakeway caps single-family rentals; Rollingwood bans them. Outside city limits, only the 6% state hotel tax applies.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026
Market
About 9,000+ Airbnb listings
Austin 8,722, Lago Vista 222, Spicewood 174, Lakeway 68, Bee Cave 22 (AirROI).Source
County rental rules
None
Texas counties generally can’t zone.Source
County hotel tax
None reported
Travis County doesn’t report a county hotel tax to the Comptroller.Source

What to do

  1. 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

  2. Outside city limits

    In unincorporated Travis County, including Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, you don’t need an Austin license and don’t owe Austin’s hotel tax. You still owe the 6% state hotel tax, which Airbnb collects on its bookings.Source

Towns

Full guide

Austin

Austin is the second-biggest rental market in Texas. Every short-term rental in city limits needs a city license, now good for two years ($736.60 new, $369.60 to renew). Since July 1, 2026, Airbnb and other platforms must show the license number and take down unlicensed listings when the city asks. Stays owe 6% state plus 11% city hotel tax, which Airbnb collects.

Full guide

Bee Cave

Bee Cave has no short-term rental rules: the city code doesn’t define them, and the city said in 2024 it had no plans to. Stays owe 6% state plus 7% city hotel tax, which you file with the city yourself.

Full guide

Lago Vista

Lago Vista has a real vacation rental market, but we couldn’t confirm its short-term rental rules online. Stays owe the 6% state hotel tax and possibly a city hotel tax. Ask the city before you list.

Full guide

Lakeway

Lakeway caps short-term rentals in single-family homes at 25 permits, spaced more than 1,000 feet apart; condo permits aren’t capped. Stays must be at least two nights. Stays owe 6% state plus 7% city hotel tax, which you file with the city yourself.

Full guide

Rollingwood

Rollingwood prohibits short-term rentals. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to $2,000 a day.

Full guide

West Lake Hills

West Lake Hills allows short-term rentals only in homes their owners live in, with a city permit and a two-night minimum. Guesthouses, trailers, and RVs can’t be rented.

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.