Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fort Bend County, TX

Airbnb listings are allowed in Fort Bend County, TX, but with restrictions. In unincorporated Fort Bend County, STRs are unregulated at the county level. Within municipalities like Sugar Land, STRs are restricted to specific zones (R-2, R-3, R-4) and require a Conditional Use Permit; Richmond restricts properties to one STR per lot and requires residential rental registration. 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 unincorporated Fort Bend County, STRs are unregulated at the county level. Within municipalities like Sugar Land, STRs are restricted to specific zones (R-2, R-3, R-4) and require a Conditional Use Permit; Richmond restricts properties to one STR per lot and requires residential rental registration.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fort Bend County. 1. Determine zoning eligibility and apply for a Conditional Use Permit (if in Sugar Land) or register via the MyGovernmentOnline portal (if in Richmond). 2. Submit the application and required fees through the city's Citizen Self Service (CSS) or permitting portal. 3. Schedule and pass a mandatory property inspection for health and safety compliance.

1. Determine zoning eligibility and apply for a Conditional Use Permit (if in Sugar Land) or register via the MyGovernmentOnline portal (if in Richmond). 2. Submit the application and required fees through the city's Citizen Self Service (CSS) or permitting portal. 3. Schedule and pass a mandatory property inspection for health and safety compliance.

Vrbo is permitted in Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.