Austin STR Compliance Guide 2026 — Permits, Night Cap & HOT Tax

Complete compliance guide for Austin Airbnb and VRBO hosts. Austin enforces annual STR licensing, an annual night cap on most permits, Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) remitted quarterly, and mandatory safety inspections at renewal. Current permit limits, tax rates, and due dates are shown in the live compliance guide above — data is sourced directly from Austin's regulatory records.

Austin STR Permit Types

  • Type 1 — Owner-Occupied STR License — For properties where the owner lives on-site. Fewer restrictions on availability by zone.
  • Type 2 — Non-Owner-Occupied STR License — For investor-owned properties. Subject to council district caps; may not be available in all zones.

Austin STR Night Cap

Most Austin STR permits cap rental activity at an annual maximum. The city cross-references platform booking data with permit records. Exceeding the cap risks permit suspension and mandatory booking cancellations. Connect your Airbnb or VRBO iCal to Trackable Doors to count booked nights in real time.

Austin Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)

Austin STR hosts must collect and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax to the City of Austin and separately to the Texas Comptroller. HOT is due quarterly by the 20th of the month following each quarter: April 20, July 20, October 20, January 20. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit for platform bookings — direct bookings require self-filing. Current tax rates are shown in the live compliance guide above.

Austin STR Safety Inspection Requirements

  • Smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway
  • Carbon monoxide alarm (required since 2022 ordinance update)
  • Kitchen fire extinguisher (Type ABC)
  • Posted emergency contacts and exit routes visible to guests
  • Maximum occupancy posted at entry

Austin STR Fine Schedule

  • Operating without a valid permit: up to $2,000 per day
  • Exceeding night cap: permit suspension plus mandatory booking cancellations
  • Late HOT filing: 5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25% maximum

Trackable Doors automates Austin permit renewal alerts, night cap tracking, quarterly HOT deadline reminders, safety inspection checklists, and PDF compliance reports. Plans start at $39/month — 14-day free trial, no credit card required.