short term rental information

Short Term Rental Registration and Renewals

Short term rental owners are required to register their properties. The registration process is quick and easy and can be done online. Registration must be renewed annually by December 31^st. You will receive an email as a reminder that it is time to renew along with detailed instruction on how to proceed. The fee for registering your property is $250.00 with a small convenience fee. Once the registration fee is paid you will be assigned a GVR (Galveston Vacation Rental) number.

For additional information on the registration fee please see Short Term Rental FAQs under the helpful links section of this page.

Ordinances, Authorization and Penalties

In 2015 The City of Galveston passed Ordinance 15-012 which authorized the Park Board of Trustees to require all Short Term Rentals (STR’s) to be registered. The Park Board is also authorized to collect Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on a monthly or quarterly basis. 

In May of 2021 the City of Galveston passed Ordinance 21-021 which requires the property owner and/ or property management company to display the GVR number on any and all advertisements. This includes all booking platforms, management company websites and any private listings (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, etc.). It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that their individual property(s) are in compliance. Failure to do so will result in the listing being removed.

Failure to comply with the STR registration or HOT payment requirements as outlined in Ordinance 15-012 is a Class C misdemeanor offense and is punishable upon conviction by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per offense.  Each day shall constitute a separate offense.

Delinquent, non-registered, non-complying properties are subject to legal action.

You can check to see if a property is registered with the Park Board here.

Online Reporting and Paying Service

In an effort to make things more convenient for our HOT clients, the Park Board provides an online system for reporting and paying taxes. The Park Board does not require you to file zero dollar reports.

STR Owners must file their tax reports by the 20^th of the month following the reporting period. Properties which do not generate more than $500 per month in taxes or $1,500 per quarter can report on a quarterly basis. Quarterly due dates are April 20^th, July 20^th, October 20^th, and January 20^th.

Late payment penalties and interest will be assessed on all payments received after the due date.

You can access your account 24/7. Need assistance accessing your account? Please contact Dawn Robinson at 409-797-5195 or Support. Phone and web support is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.