🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Houston, TX
New Year, New Rules: What Houston STR Hosts Need to Do Now
Houston STR Hosts, Take Note: Registration Is Live and the Clock Is Ticking!
Houston’s short-term rental rules officially took effect on January 1, 2026, and the message to hosts is clear: registration is mandatory, and enforcement is already in play. With the City’s new ordinance now active, all STR operators must be registered to legally continue hosting.
Registration is open, but the City is bracing for high demand. Officials expect a heavy influx of applications as the year begins, which could slow approval timelines. Hosts are being encouraged to start the process immediately to avoid delays that could impact operations.
Registration is now open! All Short-Term Rentals in Houston must be registered with the City in compliance with the new ordinance effective January 1, 2026. Complete your registration at: https://t.co/498fHVIP3F#ShortTermRentals #cohpermits #COHSTRs pic.twitter.com/QGgdDWXGsT
— Houston Permit Cntr (@COHPermits) January 1, 2026
Recognizing the adjustment period many hosts are facing, the City responded to community feedback with a temporary compromise. Booking platforms have been asked to delay removing non-registered STR listings until April 1, 2026. This gives hosts time to navigate the new system without immediately disappearing from popular rental sites.
Still, this grace period has limits. It does not delay enforcement of the ordinance. Hosts operating after January 1 must be registered or actively in the registration process to avoid citations for non-compliance. In short, the April deadline protects listings, not operators.
STRisker Document Analysis
Finding the right compliance documents shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack - STRisker’s Documents Analysis is built to simplify your life, offering instant access to hundreds of thousands of documents from thousands of cities across the US.
Advertising rules are also changing. Once registration is completed, hosts receive a City-issued registration number. That number must be shared with booking platforms and included in listings. Starting April 1, the City will instruct platforms to remove any STR listings that do not have a valid registration certificate on file.
As Houston enters 2026, STR operators who act now will be best positioned to stay compliant, visible, and ahead of the curve. The new rules are here and registration is the key to keeping your STR doors open.
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
We're always looking for ways to improve Bulletins.
Was this one useful to you? Other topics you'd like to see get covered?
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading this Bulletin? Feel free to forward this along. We want to make sure operators and stakeholders are aware of regulatory changes in their area.