Short Term Rental (STR) Requirements

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All short-term rental properties (STR) located within the city limits of Pearland are required to obtain a permit prior to advertising or renting the property.

The City of Pearland assesses and collects a 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax on all STR bookings.

What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?

A Short-Term Rental is a residential dwelling unit or a bedroom within a residential dwelling unit that is rented out for compensation for less than thirty (30) consecutive days.

A permit must be obtained by the property owner for all short-term rental properties in the City.

Hotel Occupancy Taxes are required to be paid on a quarterly basis.

Short-term rental properties are allowed in Non-Residential and select Mixed-Use Zoning Districts within the City.

The table below reflects the zoning districts permitted to operate an STR. P = Permitted, Blank = Prohibited

Why is a permit needed to operate a Short-Term Rental Property in the City of Pearland?

On February 9, 2026, Pearland City Council adopted Unified Development Code (UDC) amendments through Ordinance No. UDC 2000T-41 to regulate the zoning requirements for Short Term Rentals, which became effective upon approval. The Land Use Matrix has been updated to reflect this adoption.

The requirements of the UDC are in addition to those requirements found in Ordinance 1611 Adopted by City Council on April 11, 2022, amending Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances. This ordinance established specific requirements and regulations for the operation of STRs within the corporate limits of the City. The ordinance became effective July 1, 2022.

How to obtain a Short-Term Rental permit?

To apply for an STR permit, apply through Cityworks.

Short- Term Rental Complaint?

For non-emergencies, please contact the Pearland Police Department at 281-997-4100.
For emergencies, call 911.

Short-Term Rental Permit

Permitting

Open the Cityworks platform and log in or create an account. For assistance, please visit our video library.
Within Cityworks, click New Application, followed by Operating Certificate, followed by Short Term Rental.
Next, go through the prompts inserting/uploading the requested information.
Once the application has been completed, select Submit and a permit number should be provided to you. The permit will start with STR2025-XXXX.

An application fee ($75 non-refundable) is required with a short-term rental permit.

If you have operated a short-term rental within the last 12 months, Hotel Occupancy Taxes must be remitted in accordance with Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code and Chapter 28, Article III of the Pearland Code of Ordinances before a permit can be issued.

Requirements from Ordinance 1611

No more than two adult guests per bedroom, and no more than two additional adults shall be allowed in a short-term rental, except that there shall be a maximum of ten (10) persons, including adults and children

The owner shall provide off-street parking on the premises of the short-term rental to accommodate at least one motor vehicle per bedroom

This list is for informational purposes only and is not a comprehensive description of all short-term rental regulations. To review all regulations for short-term rentals, please read the Ordinance 1611.

Inspections

Once your permit is approved, Fire Marshal will conduct an inspection for your short-term rental to determine compliance.

An inspection fee of $100 is required to be paid for in the Cityworks platform prior to any inspection being conducted.

Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT)

HOT filings are due on a quarterly basis through the Finance Department to make a payment please contact the City’s Finance Department at 281-652-1650.

Transferability

A short-term rental permit is not transferable to a new property owner.

Contact Information

Questions?

Phone - 281.652.1638
Email - permits@pearlandtx.gov

City of Pearland, TX