Rental Rules by City / Texas / Port Aransas
Port Aransas short-term rental rules & tax calculator
📋 The Basics
- Can I rent my place short-term here?
- Yes, with a permit
- Do I need a permit?
- Yes. Register every rental with the City each year.
- What taxes do I pay?
- Total about 15%. Check your Airbnb payout report to see which ones Airbnb collects; you pay the rest yourself.
Your 3 steps to be legal
- Register before advertising ($200 + $100 per extra bedroom).
- Set up city HOT filing.
- Renew by Dec 31.
⚠️ Biggest risk: Advertising before you register.
Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.
Tax calculator
Rates used: Texas state hotel occupancy tax 6% + City of Port Aransas HOT 9% = 15%. Mandatory cleaning fees are included in the taxable total. 15% total per the City. HOT applies to nonoptional fees too. Verify any county HOT.
What Airbnb collects: Verify in your payouts whether Airbnb remits Port Aransas city HOT.
Advanced details (laws, fees, sources)
Rules
| Registration | Register every STR (30 days or less) with the City before advertising or renting. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $200 for an efficiency/1-bedroom plus $100 per additional bedroom, per year. |
| Expiration | Registrations expire Dec 31 each year. |
| HOT filing | File city HOT monthly by the 20th. |
Items marked "Verify with the city" could not be confirmed from an official source; call the office listed before relying on them.
Sources
Free tools
Free "Is my rental legal?" checklist · Free tourist tax calculator
Rules can change
Port Aransas's rules, its tax rates and platform policies can change through a council vote, a new state law or a court ruling, often with little notice to hosts. We re-check this page monthly; subscribers get notified. Stay Compliant for $4.99/mo.
Want it done for you?
Get a personalized STR Compliance Check ($49) for your exact address in any US city: the permits, registrations and tax accounts you need, with official sources, delivered by email in 48 business hours. Not legal advice.
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Stay Compliant: $4.99/month
Rules, tax rates and Airbnb/Vrbo policies can change without warning, and hosts who miss a change can be fined. Get alerts when your city, county or state changes, deadline reminders, a pending-bill watch list and a monthly host brief (even in quiet months: "we checked on [date]; no changes"). Compare plans.
By paying, you agree to our Terms and Refund Policy.
Not legal or tax advice. Last verified Oct 24, 2026. Rules and rates change: confirm with the official sources linked before you rent or file.