Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Caldwell County, TX

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Caldwell County, TX, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. In Lockhart, occupancy is limited to two adults per bedroom with a maximum of ten persons total, and off-street parking is required. In the City of Caldwell, all STR operators must register annually and remit a 7% city Hotel Occupancy Tax monthly or quarterly. Both jurisdictions require safety devices like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In Lockhart, occupancy is limited to two adults per bedroom with a maximum of ten persons total, and off-street parking is required. In the City of Caldwell, all STR operators must register annually and remit a 7% city Hotel Occupancy Tax monthly or quarterly. Both jurisdictions require safety devices like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Caldwell County. In Lockhart: 1. Submit a Short-term Rental Application to the Finance Department at City Hall. 2. Provide owner/emergency contact info, proof of safety devices (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers), and pay a $50 fee. 3. Renew annually. In City of Caldwell: Complete the Hotel Registration Form annually and file monthly or quarterly tax reports.

In Lockhart: 1. Submit a Short-term Rental Application to the Finance Department at City Hall. 2. Provide owner/emergency contact info, proof of safety devices (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers), and pay a $50 fee. 3. Renew annually. In City of Caldwell: Complete the Hotel Registration Form annually and file monthly or quarterly tax reports.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Caldwell County, TX, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Caldwell 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 Caldwell County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.