LicensedRental

Texas county rules

Washington County, TX vacation rental rules and taxes

Washington County has no rental permit, but outside city limits it charges a 7% county hotel tax, filed quarterly with the county. Airbnb doesn’t collect it. Brenham charges its own 7% inside the city.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026
Market
About 270 Airbnb listings
Brenham 196, Burton 69 (AirROI).Source
County rental rules
None
Texas counties generally can’t zone (see the Lake Somerville note).Source
County hotel tax
7% outside cities

Near Lake Somerville, state law creates a planning commission for the area within 5,000 feet of the lake in Burleson, Lee, Milam, and Washington counties. We couldn’t find its rules; ask the county if you’re near the lake.

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

Towns

Full guide

Brenham

Brenham requires short-term rental hosts to collect and file the city’s 7% hotel tax monthly; we found no rental permit. Airbnb doesn’t collect the city tax, so you file it yourself.

Full guide

Chappell Hill and unincorporated Washington County

Outside city limits in Washington County there’s no rental permit, but stays owe 6% state plus 7% county hotel tax. Airbnb doesn’t collect the county tax, so you file it quarterly with the county.

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 Spot something out of date?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.