New Braunfels, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
New Braunfels bans residential STRs, while regional ADR is $178, occupancy 54.0% and revenue $2,651 monthly in September 2026.
Quick Answer: New Braunfels, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the San Antonio market area is 54%. average monthly revenue in the San Antonio market area is $2,651. average daily rate in the San Antonio market area is $178. the top operator in the San Antonio market area is Evolve with 312 listings. market score is 59/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the San Antonio regional market, which includes New Braunfels. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to New Braunfels.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
New Braunfels is one of the most restrictive short term rental cities in Texas, so any investor should start with zoning: STRs are not allowed in any residential zoning district and are permitted only in non residential zones. The performance figures below describe the South Central Texas region around San Antonio and the Hill Country, which shares one metric series with New Braunfels. Every number on this page refers to that regional STR market, not to New Braunfels alone.
In September 2026 the regional STR market recorded an average daily rate (ADR) of $178 and occupancy of 54.0%, producing average monthly revenue of $2,651 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 19.1%, ADR rose 1.4% and revenue rose 19.1%, so the gain came almost entirely from more booked nights rather than higher prices. Year to date, 2026 is running at 57.5% occupancy, a $189 ADR and $3,076 in average monthly revenue across nine months, ahead of the full year 2025 figures of 53.7%, $185 and $2,816.
Looking at the longer record, annual average occupancy has moved between 45.8% in 2017 and 61.3% in 2021, and has held in a narrow band of 53.4% to 54.0% from 2023 through 2025. Average monthly revenue peaked at $2,885 in 2021 and was $2,874 in 2024.
Demand in New Braunfels itself is driven by water recreation. The profile notes more than 6 million visitors in 2024, the Comal and Guadalupe rivers for tubing, Schlitterbahn Waterpark and the Wurstfest festival each fall. Bedroom, channel and listing type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for New Braunfels, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 45% |
| Feb | 55% |
| Mar | 62% |
| Apr | 53% |
| May | 54% |
| Jun | 62% |
| Jul | 65% |
| Aug | 52% |
| Sep | 48% |
| Oct | 53% |
| Nov | 51% |
| Dec | 52% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for New Braunfels are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in San Antonio market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the San Antonio market as a whole, which includes New Braunfels, so these counts are not New Braunfels-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 312 | 13,836 | ★ 4.68 |
| 2 | Feliz Stays SA | 194 | 13,450 | ★ 4.72 |
| 3 | Landing, Inc. | 180 | 408 | ★ 4.31 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 160 | 5,325 | ★ 4.56 |
| 5 | New Braunfels Escapes | 157 | 5,662 | ★ 4.67 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in New Braunfels?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for New Braunfels are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 45.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 47.9% |
Home Value Trends (New Braunfels)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for New Braunfels are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for New Braunfels — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
New Braunfels permits STRs only under strict conditions. Rentals under 30 days are banned in all residential zoning districts and allowed only in non residential districts. A special use permit is required in most non residential zones, with C-4, C-4A and C-4B exempt from that extra step. STRs are prohibited in the floodway. Enforcement is rated strict.
A permit is mandatory before advertising on any platform. The STR permit costs $206 and renews annually, tied to an annual Fire Marshal life safety inspection. The city hotel occupancy tax is 7%, and the Texas state hotel occupancy tax of 6% applies on top of it. Returns are filed monthly by the 20th, even when no revenue was collected, and late penalties escalate from $50 up to 15% of taxes owed. Effective February 1, 2026, hotel occupancy tax payments moved to a centralized Rentalscape online lodging portal.
Occupancy is capped at two adults per sleeping area plus two more, with one off street parking space (excluding the garage) required per sleeping area and an emergency contact decal visible at the entry.
Neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. The residential ban has survived legal challenge. A December 2024 federal district court ruling in Marfil v. City of New Braunfels was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit on June 18, 2026 (No. 25-50025), which held there is no constitutional right to operate an STR. These rules apply inside New Braunfels city limits, and other towns in the region set their own. Confirm current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The regional market recorded 54.0% occupancy and a $178 ADR in September 2026, and even the entire home ADR is only $190.
The luxury tier is the standout. At $387, the luxury ADR is about 2.2 times the all listings rate, showing that high end properties can price well above the market average. Professionally managed listings at $225 sit about $47 above the all listings figure.
Momentum is the stronger argument. Year over year occupancy is up 19.1% and revenue is up 19.1%, while 2026 year to date occupancy of 57.5% is above the full year 2025 figure of 53.7%.
The main drawback for New Braunfels investors is access, not performance. The residential ban sharply limits where an STR can legally operate. Operator and property manager rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for New Braunfels, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Braunfels, Texas
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