New Braunfels Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short Term Rental Permit (plus Special Use Permit required in all non-residential districts except C-4, C-4A, C-4B) ($206) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — not less than one night and not more than 30 days |
| Tax Rate | 13% combined (6% state + 7% city) |
| Max Penalty | $2,000 per violation (criminal fine) / $2,000 non-compliance fee for operating without a permit |
| Insurance | $500,000 per occurrence liability required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short Term Rental Permit (plus Special Use Permit required in all non-residential districts except C-4, C-4A, C-4B)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $206 |
| Renewal | $128 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: plus Special Use Permit required in all non-residential districts except C-4, C-4A, C-4B.
Application Process
STR owners register through the city's online permit portal; the application must include proof of ownership, an emergency contact, a site/floor plan, and proof of commercial general liability insurance (min. $500,000 per occurrence). A special use permit is also required in eligible non-residential zones (except C-4/C-4A/C-4B). Annual life-safety inspection by the Fire Marshal's Office is required to renew, after paying the $128 renewal fee.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% | Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |
| City Hotel Occupancy Tax | 7% | City of New Braunfels |
Combined rate: 13% combined (6% state + 7% city) of gross rental income.
Collection: City HOT filed and paid online via the city's Rentalscape tax payment portal; state HOT remitted separately to the Texas Comptroller.
Filing: Monthly, due the 20th of the month following collection; a $0.00 report must be filed even if no revenue was collected
Rental Limits
New Braunfels does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be not less than one night and not more than 30 days.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Two occupants per sleeping room, plus an additional two occupants
Zoning & Restrictions
STRs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and in any floodway (regardless of zoning). A Special Use Permit is required in all non-residential zoning districts except C-4, C-4A, and C-4B, where a single-family or duplex STR is allowed without the SUP.
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Operators must maintain at least $500,000 per occurrence in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Annual life-safety inspection by the Fire Marshal's Office (every other year for sprinklered structures); a mounted 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher within 75 feet of all portions of the structure on each floor; at least one operable emergency escape/rescue opening per sleeping room; a posted evacuation plan in each sleeping room; a minimum of one off-street parking space per sleeping room; and a short-term rental decal with emergency contact information displayed at the entry.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating without a permit: non-compliance fee of $2,000. Each day a unit is occupied in violation of the ordinance is a separate offense, punishable upon conviction by a fine of $500 to $2,000 per violation. Repeat violations (more than twice in 12 months) or failure to timely pay hotel occupancy tax can result in revocation of the short-term rental permit and/or special use permit.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in New Braunfels:
- Meet safety requirements. Annual life-safety inspection by the Fire Marshal's Office (every other year for sprinklered structures); a mounted 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher within 75 feet of all portions of the structure on each floor; at least one operable emergency escape/rescue opening per sleeping room; a posted evacuation plan in each sleeping room; a minimum of one off-street parking space per sleeping room; and a short-term rental decal with emergency contact information displayed at the entry.
- Obtain liability insurance. $500,000 per occurrence minimum.
- Apply for Short Term Rental Permit (plus Special Use Permit required in all non-residential districts except C-4, C-4A, C-4B). Submit application + $206 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of New Braunfels.
- Collect and remit taxes. 13% combined (6% state + 7% city) on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $128 renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in New Braunfels?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in New Braunfels requires a short-term rental permit.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in New Braunfels?
- A short-term rental permit in New Braunfels costs $206 per year. Renewal is $128 per year.
- Does New Braunfels require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels?
- New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels?
- Short-term rental stays in New Braunfels are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% State Hotel Occupancy Tax + 7% City 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 New Braunfels?
- Operating without a permit: non-compliance fee of $2,000.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.