Houston Short-Term Rentals Need a City Certificate

The City program covers a home, or part of one, offered for stays under 30 days. The law has a few exceptions. Sign-up began October 1, 2025, and enforcement began January 1, 2026. Under the current schedule, certificates issued by the end of 2026 will expire at the end of 2027.

A host must give the City number to each booking site. The certificate and a 24-hour emergency contact must be posted at the home. Hosts also take an approved course about human trafficking and pay hotel tax. They may not promote the rental as a place for special events.

Houston will start asking platforms on January 1, 2027, to remove listings with no certificate. That date is newer than the first rollout notice. These rules apply inside Houston. A rental elsewhere in Harris County may have a different local rule.