The City of Austin breaks short-term rentals into three types. Permits do not transfer with a sale and must be renewed every two years. Proof of insurance and a certificate of occupancy are no longer required under the most recent regulation changes. An STR permit will not be issued if there are any other expired or open building permits on the property — search permit history using the City of Austin’s Public Permit Search Site (Property/Project Name/Type/Date Range tab, wide date range). See also the City of Austin STR regulations page.

Type 1 — Owner-Occupied
Issued for single-family homes where the owner holds a homestead exemption. Used to rent the entire home occasionally, or to rent part of the home — a room or guest house — while living there.

Type 2 — Non-Owner-Occupied
For full-time investor single-family homes. A federal court ruling reversed the city’s previous limitations on Type 2 permits.

• On a site with 1–3 units, an individual is eligible for up to 2 STR permits.
•  The same individual may not operate STRs on multiple sites within 1,000 feet of one another.

Type 3 — Multifamily
For condos or properties with 4+ units. Permit density is dictated by zoning — check whether a property is residentially or commercially zoned via the City of Austin Property Profile Tool.

•  4+ units, no commercial use: the greater of 1 unit or 10% of owned/leased units may operate as STRs.
•  At least 1 commercial use on-site: the greater of 1 unit or 25% of owned/leased units may operate as STRs.

​Quick Tips

• To search permit history, open the City of Austin’s Public Permit Search Site, click on the “Property/Project Name/Type/Date Range” tab at the top, enter the site address, then select a wide date range to view the entire permit history.
•  To confirm whether a property is residentially or commercially zoned, use the City of Austin Property Profile Tool.

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