Port Arthur Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-term rental permit (registration) (fee varies) |
| Primary Residence | ✗ Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 13% (6% state + 7% city) |
| Max Penalty | $2,000 per violation + revocation risk |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-term rental permit (registration)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | fee varies |
| Renewal | fee varies |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Ordinance does not override existing zoning or private deed restrictions/covenants; STR use remains subject to whatever zoning and covenants already apply to the property.
Application Process
Operator submits a registration form (prescribed by the city administrator) with operator and 24/7 local-contact information, property address, sleeping-room count/occupancy, and trash-toter needs; property is inspected at registration and at each renewal; a non-refundable per-unit registration fee (amount set by city council) is due with the form; owners delinquent on city fees/taxes are barred from registering; registration/permit is valid 12 months on a calendar-year basis and is not transferable
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% | State of Texas |
| City of Port Arthur Hotel Occupancy Tax | 7% | City of Port Arthur |
Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.
Collection: Operator/hotel collects the hotel occupancy tax directly from occupants and remits it to the city
Filing: Monthly, due by the 20th of the following month
Rental Limits
Port Arthur does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
2 persons per sleeping room plus 4 additional per dwelling; for homes over 3,250 sq ft of conditioned living space, 2 persons per sleeping room plus 6 additional
Zoning & Restrictions
No STR-specific zoning district ban; the ordinance explicitly does not grant any right to violate existing city zoning, private conditions, covenants, or deed restrictions that may otherwise prohibit STR use of the property
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Port Arthur does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Minimum one Class 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher on every floor with an enclosed space, mounted conspicuously and accessibly
- Tenant information sheet posted near the primary entrance listing contact info, occupancy limit, parking/fire-lane locations, noise-control rules, trash-collection info, and fire extinguisher locations
- Exterior sign (min. 8in x 18in, or 3in x 5in for qualifying multi-family buildings) posted near the primary entrance or street-facing window displaying the 24/7 contact phone number
- Inspection required at initial registration and at each renewal; missed inspections incur a reinspection fee
- Building and fire-related construction must conform to the city's adopted building code
- Mandatory evacuation of the unit upon notice
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per offense; each day a violation continues is a separate offense
- Permit denial, suspension, or revocation for: 3+ notices of violation within 12 months, false/misleading application information, operating/advertising without a valid permit, delinquent city taxes or fees, sale/transfer of the property, or unreported changes to permit information
- City attorney may seek an injunction in court against any violation of the article
- Late hotel occupancy tax remittance forfeits 5% of the amount due as a penalty, plus an additional 5% if more than 30 days late (minimum $1 penalty)
- Interest accrues on delinquent tax beginning 60 days from the due date at the same rate applicable to delinquent state hotel occupancy taxes (currently 12% per year)
Platform Requirements
Short-term rental registration number must be included in all advertisements for the unit, including internet booking/listing sites
Market Snapshot
Demand context for Port Arthur from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2025 est.) | 55,804 (-0.4% since 2020) | U.S. Census Bureau |
Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Port Arthur:
- Meet safety requirements. Minimum one Class 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher on every floor with an enclosed space, mounted conspicuously and accessibly. Tenant information sheet posted near the primary entrance listing contact info, occupancy limit, parking/fire-lane locations, noise-control rules, trash-collection info, and fire extinguisher locations. Exterior sign (min. 8in x 18in, or 3in x 5in for qualifying multi-family buildings) posted near the primary entrance or street-facing window displaying the 24/7 contact phone number. Inspection required at initial registration and at each renewal; missed inspections incur a reinspection fee. Building and fire-related construction must conform to the city's adopted building code. Mandatory evacuation of the unit upon notice.
- Apply for Short-term rental permit (registration). Submit application. Contact city for fee details.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Port Arthur Finance Department.
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Port Arthur?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Port Arthur requires a Short-term rental permit (registration).
- Does Port Arthur require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur?
- Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur?
- Short-term rental stays in Port Arthur are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax + 7% City of Port Arthur Hotel Occupancy Tax. Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit them automatically on the host's behalf.
- What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Port Arthur?
- Penalties run up to $2,000 (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.