| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — all STR properties must register with the City of Galveston and receive a GVR (Galveston Vacation Rental) number; registration required since 20 |
| Tax Rate | 9% local HOT on gross rental revenues (incl. cleaning, pet, damage fees), plus 6% Texas state HOT |
| Minimum Stay | STR defined as rentals fewer than 30 consecutive days |
| Permit Fee | $250 registration fee for new listings (or when switching from management company to independent management); $25 fine for late/missing tax reports |
| Penalties | Failure to register or remit HOT is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense/day, plus late penalties and interest; possible |
| Primary Residence Required | No (both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs allowed) |
| Occupancy Limit | Not specified in the STR ordinance; best practice is to follow applicable building- and fire-safety code occupancy standards |
Short-term rental operations in Galveston, Texas are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — all STR properties must register with the City of Galveston and receive a GVR (Galveston Vacation Rental) number; registration required since 2015 (Ord. 15-012).. The associated permit fees are $250 registration fee for new listings (or when switching from management company to independent man.
Short-term rental operators in Galveston should be aware of these tax obligations: 9% local HOT on gross rental revenues (incl. cleaning, pet, damage fees), plus 6% Texas state HOT. Yes — register and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax; authority transferred from Park Board to the City of Galveston effective October 1, 2025..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Galveston include: Primary residence requirement: No (both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs allowed). Occupancy limit: Not specified in the STR ordinance; best practice is to follow applicable building- and fire-safety code occupancy stand. Minimum stay: STR defined as rentals fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Galveston: STRs permitted in all zoning districts on the island except the R-0 district where they are prohibited. Density rules: No numerical cap; all qualifying properties outside R-0 may register.
Hosts who fail to comply with Galveston's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Failure to register or remit HOT is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense/day, plus late penalties and interest; possible license revocation under three-strike rule.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Galveston: GVR number must be displayed on all advertisements including booking platforms, management company websites, and private/social listings; non-compliant listings will be removed..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Galveston with proper registration and permits. New comprehensive ordinance updates approved Nov 13, 2025, developed by an STR Ad Hoc Committee; includes a three-strike rule allowing license revocation if three violations occur at a property within
Yes. Galveston requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — all STR properties must register with the City of Galveston and receive a GVR (Galveston Vacation Rental) number; registration required since 2015 (Ord. 15-012)..
Short-term rental hosts in Galveston are subject to the following tax obligations: 9% local HOT on gross rental revenues (incl. cleaning, pet, damage fees), plus 6% Texas state HOT.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Galveston may face enforcement. Failure to register or remit HOT is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense/day, plus late penalties and interest; possible license revocation under three-strike rule.
Owners responsible for ensuring renters comply with rules on parking, trash, noise, firearms and fireworks. Violations reportable via STR hotline. A proposed mandatory 'parking plan' section was omitted from the final ordinance.
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