Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bell County, TX

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bell County, TX, but with restrictions. In Belton, non-owner occupied STRs must be at least 500 feet from another STR. In Killeen, operators must maintain $500,000 in liability insurance and rentals are limited to less than 29 consecutive days. All operators in Bell County must register for and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax (2% county rate plus applicable city rates). A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In Belton, non-owner occupied STRs must be at least 500 feet from another STR. In Killeen, operators must maintain $500,000 in liability insurance and rentals are limited to less than 29 consecutive days. All operators in Bell County must register for and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax (2% county rate plus applicable city rates).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bell County. 1. Register via the jurisdiction's online portal (e.g., str.beltontexas.gov for Belton or hoteltaxonline.com for Killeen). 2. Pay the required fee ($200 in Killeen for the first year; Belton fees vary). 3. Schedule and pass a health and safety inspection (required in Killeen and Belton) and provide proof of insurance. Permits must be renewed annually.

1. Register via the jurisdiction's online portal (e.g., str.beltontexas.gov for Belton or hoteltaxonline.com for Killeen). 2. Pay the required fee ($200 in Killeen for the first year; Belton fees vary). 3. Schedule and pass a health and safety inspection (required in Killeen and Belton) and provide proof of insurance. Permits must be renewed annually.

Vrbo is permitted in Bell County, TX under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bell County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bell County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.