Galveston County, Texas: Short-Term Rental Permit (2025)

STR Regulation in Galveston County, Texas

Galveston Island and the surrounding area has a significant short-term rental market. The City of Galveston requires a Short-Term Rental permit and annual renewal. Properties in unincorporated Galveston County may have different requirements. Galveston STRs also require Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax registration.

General Application Requirements

Most U.S. STR permit applications require the following core documents regardless of jurisdiction. Gather these before contacting the permit office:

• Current deed or property tax records (proof of ownership)
• Certificate of insurance listing the property for short-term rental use
• Maximum occupancy declaration
• Completed application form from the local authority
• Application fee (verify current amount locally)

For a comprehensive checklist covering all stages from pre-application through renewal, download our free STR Permit Starter Kit.

Jurisdiction Verification

Before applying, confirm whether your property is in Galveston County's unincorporated territory or within an incorporated municipality. The answer determines which office issues your permit and which rules apply. See our City vs. County guide for step-by-step verification methods.

Taxes

Register for state and local lodging taxes separately from your STR permit. Verify whether your booking platform remits these automatically in Texas or whether you must file directly.