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Is Airbnb legal in Galveston, Texas?

Legal with a $250 annual license, allowed almost everywhere. Galveston's Ordinance 25-060 requires every short-term rental to hold an annual license at $250 per unit per year, due by December 31, with a $500 late fee. Each unit gets its own GVR registration number that must appear on every listing. Zoning is unusually friendly: STRs are allowed in every district except R-0.

Showing the researched rules for Galveston, TX below. Type your Galveston address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Legal with a $250 annual license, allowed almost everywhere

Galveston's Ordinance 25-060 requires every short-term rental to hold an annual license at $250 per unit per year, due by December 31, with a $500 late fee. Each unit gets its own GVR registration number that must appear on every listing. Zoning is unusually friendly: STRs are allowed in every district except R-0.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental License (GVR)
Issued by
City of Galveston
Cost
$250 per unit / year, $500 late fee
Renewal
Annual, by December 31

Key limits

Night cap
None
Zoning
Allowed in all districts except R-0
Local contact
Designated contact must respond within one hour, 24/7
Revocation
Three violations in 12 months can trigger license revocation

Taxes

State hotel occupancy tax
6%
Local hotel occupancy tax
9%, collected by the Park Board

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Register with the city
    File the annual STR registration, pay $250 per unit, and receive the GVR number for each property.
  2. 2
    Display the GVR number
    Put the GVR number on every listing and ad, each day without it counts as a separate violation.
  3. 3
    Set up the local contact
    Designate a 24/7 contact person and post house rules on occupancy, parking, noise, and flood evacuation inside the unit.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Condo and HOA documents can restrict rentals independently of the city.
County differs
Unincorporated Galveston County has no STR registration of its own, city rules apply only inside city limits.

Sources

BNBCalc Galveston County STR guide 2026 · Avalara Galveston STR law update 2026 · Galveston Park Board HOT report form (official, 9% rate)

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.