Corpus Christi Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Registration Permit

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Apply online through the GovOS/MuniRevs portal (corpuschristi.munirevs.com). The application requires: a list of all owners, operators, and agents with names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers; a sketch of the floor plan identifying sleeping areas, proposed maximum number of guests, evacuation route(s), and fire extinguisher location(s); the name, address, and 24-hour phone number of a contact person authorized to respond to complaints; a sworn self-certification of insurance coverage and annual fire-extinguisher inspections; and payment of the permit fee by debit/credit card. Permits are valid for the calendar year and must be renewed every January.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 15% of gross rental income.

Collection: The City contracted with GovOS (MuniRevs) for hotel/motel tax collections as of May 1, 2021; operators file and remit through corpuschristi.munirevs.com. Where Airbnb/VRBO remit tax under their agreements with the City, individual owners and property managers file a zero-dollar form monthly; IPMs who take payment directly must collect and remit themselves. State hotel occupancy tax is collected and remitted to the Texas Comptroller.

Filing: Monthly; due on the 20th day of the month following the end of each calendar month (City and State aligned).

Rental Limits

Corpus Christi does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be less than 30 days and not less than 12 hours.

Zoning & Restrictions

STRs are allowed with restrictions in single-family residential districts citywide but are NOT permitted in single-family zoning districts within the Padre/Mustang Island Area Development Plan (ADP). Type 1 (owner/operator-occupied) STRs are allowed throughout the city with no restrictions except on Padre/Mustang Island. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) STRs are limited to 15% of the block face and awarded first come, first served, except on Padre/Mustang Island.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental, though the required coverage amount is not publicly specified.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Applicants must submit a sketch of the floor plan identifying sleeping areas, proposed maximum number of guests, evacuation route(s), and location of fire extinguisher(s); provide a 24-hour contact person responsible for responding to complaints; and submit a sworn self-certification of maintaining insurance coverage and annual inspections of required fire extinguishers in compliance with the city's current fire code.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Enforcement is complaint-based through Code Enforcement. For the Hotel Occupancy Tax, late payment requires the tax due plus 15%, with interest (prime rate plus 1%) applied to delinquent taxes more than 60 days past due. Specific STR-permit violation fine amounts are not published on the city STR page.

Platform Requirements

• STR operators advertising on Airbnb/VRBO must still register and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax. Individual owners and property managers whose platforms remit tax on their behalf file a zero-dollar tax form monthly
• Integrated Property Managers (IPMs) who take traveler payment directly are responsible for collection and remittance. Owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring HOT is paid to all taxing entities.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Corpus Christi:

1. Meet safety requirements. Applicants must submit a sketch of the floor plan identifying sleeping areas, proposed maximum number of guests, evacuation route(s), and location of fire extinguisher(s); provide a 24-hour contact person responsible for responding to complaints; and submit a sworn self-certification of maintaining insurance coverage and annual inspections of required fire extinguishers in compliance with the city's current fire code.
2. Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
3. Apply for Short-Term Rental Registration Permit. Submit application + $250 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Corpus Christi Finance & Procurement Department (via GovOS/MuniRevs) for the 9% City Hotel Occupancy Tax; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 15% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $250 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Corpus Christi?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Corpus Christi requires a Short-Term Rental Registration Permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Corpus Christi?

A Short-Term Rental Registration Permit in Corpus Christi costs $250 per year.

Does Corpus Christi require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Corpus Christi allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Corpus Christi?

Short-term rental stays in Corpus Christi are subject to a combined 15% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax + 9% City of Corpus Christi Hotel Occupancy Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Corpus Christi?

Enforcement is complaint-based through Code Enforcement.