Short-Term Rental Regulations · Texas Gulf Coast
Is Corpus Christi short-term-rental friendly?
Partly. The city announced a moratorium on new Type 1 permits through November 17, 2026, and Type 2 rentals in single-family areas face a 15% block-face density limit. STRs are also prohibited in single-family zoning in the Padre/Mustang Island plan area. Confirm the address and any later city action before listing.
Last updated: . Every fact links to its official source.
Town-by-town rules
| Town | Permit required? | Annual cost | Primary-residence / night-cap limits | Lodging tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi | STR registration is required for properties rented for less than 30 consecutive days. New Type 1 permits were subject to a moratorium effective immediately through November 17, 2026, according to the August 26, 2026 official notice. (City of Corpus Christi STR page (opens in a new tab), City of Corpus Christi August 26, 2026 notice (opens in a new tab)) | The city STR page quotes $50 for the rest of 2022 and $250 for 2023. Confirm the current 2026 fee with the city before applying. (Corpus Christi STR fee FAQ (opens in a new tab)) | The August 26, 2026 city notice applies the 15% Type 2 density limit in single-family residential areas to new applications and renewals, with at least one unit per block face and no rounding for seven or more residential units. Multifamily Type 2 properties are not subject to this density limit. The city STR page separately prohibits STRs in single-family zoning within the Padre/Mustang Island plan area. (Corpus Christi August 26, 2026 notice (opens in a new tab), Corpus Christi STR zoning FAQ (opens in a new tab)) | City hotel occupancy tax is 9% on taxable stays under 30 continuous days. This is the city local component, not the total; the city business page separately lists Texas state hotel occupancy tax of 6%. (Corpus Christi Finance hotel occupancy tax (opens in a new tab), Corpus Christi business tax components (opens in a new tab)) |
"Not found" means the restriction was not located in the linked official materials reviewed as of the update date. It does not prove that no later, uncodified, parcel-specific, or special-district rule applies.
Good to know
- Corpus Christi: The moratorium runs through November 17, 2026. Check the city's current notice after that date before assuming new Type 1 permits are available. (City of Corpus Christi August 26, 2026 notice (opens in a new tab))
FAQ
Is Corpus Christi currently under a short-term rental moratorium?
The August 26, 2026 city notice sets a moratorium on new Type 1 permits through November 17, 2026. It is not a ban on all STRs or all Type 2 permits. Check with the city for any later action.
Are existing permits canceled?
No. The notice says current permits valid through December 31, 2026 remain active.
What is the Type 2 density rule?
In single-family residential areas, Type 2 non-owner-occupied STRs are limited to 15% of qualifying block-face units, with at least one permitted STR per block face.
What should be checked after November 17, 2026?
Recheck the official city notice and permit portal because the moratorium and ordinance review were date-bounded.
General information, not legal advice. Short-term rental rules change, so verify current requirements with the jurisdiction before listing.