This guide covers short-term rental rules for the City of Killeen, Texas. If you are researching nearby markets, see:
- Harker Heights: Separate city with its own STR registration and enforcement; often confused due to proximity and similar rental market.
- Temple: Distinct city northeast of Killeen with different STR rules and enforcement priorities.
- Copperas Cove: Adjacent city west of Killeen, frequently grouped in regional STR discussions but governed by its own ordinances.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in Killeen with annual registration, inspection, and a 15% lodging tax stack. No license cap or explicit zone bans are codified, but compliance is mandatory and enforcement is ordinance-driven.
- Legality Status: 4/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 2/5
- Regulatory Stability: 3/5
- Enforcement Climate: 4/5
TL;DR
Killeen defines STRs as residential rentals under 30 days and requires annual city registration, inspection, and $500,000 liability insurance. The total lodging tax is 15% (7% city, 2% county, 6% state). No explicit cap or density limit is codified. The biggest gotcha: hosts must manually remit city and county taxes—Airbnb/VRBO only handle the state portion.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Any residential property rented for less than 30 days City of Killeen FAQ – Short Term Rental |
| Registration Required | Yes, annual city registration City of Killeen, TX – Short Term Rentals |
| Permit Cost | $200 (first year, includes inspection) City of Killeen, TX – STR FAQ |
| Annual Renewal | $100 City of Killeen, TX – STR FAQ |
| Inspection Required | Yes, before issuance and renewal City of Killeen, TX – STR FAQ |
| Liability Insurance | $500,000 minimum, personal injury included City of Killeen, TX – STR FAQ |
| Local Hotel Occupancy Tax | 7% City of Killeen Finance Department |
| County Hotel Occupancy Tax | 2% Bell County Hotel Occupancy Tax |
| State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% City of Killeen Finance Department |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 15% (7% city + 2% county + 6% state) City of Killeen Finance Department |
| Tax Filing Frequency | Monthly, even if zero return City of Killeen FAQ |
| Platform Tax Collection | Airbnb/VRBO collect only state (6%); hosts must remit city/county Airbnb Help Center |
| License Cap | Not codified — no citywide cap identified in sources reviewed City of Killeen, TX – Short Term Rentals |
| Transferability | Not codified — no rule on permit transferability in sources reviewed City of Killeen, TX – Short Term Rentals |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — no city rule identified City of Killeen Code of Ordinances (index) |
| Parking Requirement | Not codified — no city rule identified City of Killeen Code of Ordinances (index) |
| Owner-Occupancy Requirement | Not codified — no city rule identified City of Killeen Code of Ordinances (index) |
| HOA/Condo Override | Not codified — no city rule identified City of Killeen Code of Ordinances (index) |
| Density Limit | Not codified — no city rule identified City of Killeen Code of Ordinances (index) |
| Primary Regulator | City of Killeen, Development Services (101 N College St, 254-501-7600) City of Killeen, TX – Short Term Rentals |
| Enforcement Penalties | Not codified — no specific fine amount in city code [Code of Ordinances |
| Last Updated | July 15, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Killeen’s STR regime requires annual registration, inspection, and $500,000 liability insurance, with a 15% lodging tax stack. Permit and renewal fees add to the compliance burden. Airbnb/VRBO only collect the state tax, so hosts must manually remit city and county taxes monthly. Underwriters should model compliance costs at 14.8% of gross revenue, with median Killeen STRs earning $17,254 at an average daily rate of $127 and 57% occupancy. The binding constraint is the manual tax remittance and annual inspection. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
