Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas permits short-term rentals, and the city is one of the more STR-friendly markets on the Texas coast. Rentals of 30 days or less require registration with the city under Short-Term Rental Registration, Ordinance 2022-02 (Chapter 12, Article VIII). The registration fee is $175 per dwelling unit, renews annually, and expires December 31 each year regardless of when it is issued, with no proration. Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required, so non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed. Operators must name a designated local contact with a 24-hour phone number who responds to complaints within 60 minutes, post a placard with the registration number near the primary entrance, provide a tenant information sheet covering occupancy, parking, noise, and trash, and keep at least one Class 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher per floor. Maximum occupancy is two adults per sleeping room plus four additional adults. Zoning allows STRs in R-2 and higher residential zones, covering well over 85% of the city’s residential area, and prohibits them in zones designated for permanent residency such as Channel Vista. New construction is subject to a minimum 5,000 square foot lot size and a density cap of 8 units per acre, down from 21. The total lodging tax is 15%, made up of a 9% city hotel occupancy tax and a 6% state tax. The city rate rose from 7% effective January 1, 2026, after voters approved the increase in November 2024. Airbnb and VRBO do not remit the city portion, so operators file directly through portaransas.munirevs.com. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. Confirm current requirements with the city before buying.