This guide covers short-term rental rules for the City of New Braunfels, Texas. Nearby markets often confused with New Braunfels include:
- Gruene: Historic district within New Braunfels, but sometimes referenced separately in STR discussions.
- Canyon Lake: Large unincorporated area with its own STR rules and overlapping ETJ issues.
- Seguin: Separate city in Guadalupe County with distinct STR regulations.
- San Marcos: College town north of New Braunfels, with its own city-level STR ordinances.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are prohibited in all residential zones in New Braunfels and only allowed in select non-residential districts with a Special Use Permit. Enforcement is strict, with digital monitoring and ongoing litigation risk.
- Legality Status: 2/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 3/5
- Regulatory Stability: 3/5
- Enforcement Climate: 2/5
TL;DR
New Braunfels defines STRs as rentals under 30 days and requires a $206 permit plus $128 annual renewal, with a 13% total lodging tax (7% city, 6% state). STRs are banned in all residential zones and only allowed in certain non-residential districts with a Special Use Permit. The city uses Rentalscape for tax and compliance monitoring. The biggest gotcha: STRs in residential neighborhoods are categorically illegal and subject to active enforcement.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of a one- or two-family dwelling for less than 30 days City of New Braunfels |
| Registration Required | Yes, city permit required before advertising City of New Braunfels |
| Permit Cost | $206 (includes annual fire inspection) City of New Braunfels |
| Annual Renewal | $128 Short-Term/Vacation Rental Guide |
| License Cap | No cap City of New Braunfels |
| Permitted Zones | Only non-residential districts with Special Use Permit (SUP); not allowed in C-4, C-4A, C-4B City of New Braunfels |
| Prohibited Zones | All residential zoning districts; C-4, C-4A, C-4B; floodway City of New Braunfels |
| Occupancy Cap | 2 adults per sleeping area, plus 2 additional adults City of New Braunfels |
| Parking Requirement | 1 off-street space per sleeping area (garage not counted) City of New Braunfels |
| Primary Regulator | City of New Braunfels Development Services Dept. (830) 221-4060 |
| Inspection Requirement | Annual life safety inspection by Fire Marshal City of New Braunfels |
| Local Contact Requirement | Emergency contact decal required at entry City of New Braunfels |
| HOA/Condo Override | Not enforced unless matching city ordinance City of New Braunfels |
| Transferability | Not transferable; new owner must reapply City of New Braunfels |
| State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% City of New Braunfels |
| Local Hotel Occupancy Tax | 7% City of New Braunfels |
| County/District Tax | None within city limits Comal County |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 13% (7% city + 6% state) City of New Braunfels |
| Tax Filing Frequency | Monthly, due by 20th City of New Braunfels |
| Tax Filing Portal | Rentalscape (as of Feb 1, 2026) City of New Braunfels |
| Platform Tax Collection | Airbnb/VRBO collect state (6%) only; hosts must remit city (7%) directly Airbnb |
| Enforcement Penalties | Not codified — see city code or call for details Code of Ordinances |
| Last Updated | July 15, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
New Braunfels’ STR regime is defined by a strict zoning ban in residential areas and a layered compliance stack. Investors must budget for a $206 permit, $128 annual renewal, and a 13% lodging tax on gross receipts. Airbnb and VRBO only remit the state portion, so hosts are responsible for city tax filings via Rentalscape. Underwriters should model compliance costs at 15.2% of gross revenue, with median New Braunfels STRs earning $45,456 at an average daily rate of $320 and 30% occupancy. The binding constraint: STRs are only legal in non-residential zones with a Special Use Permit. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
Are short-term rentals legal in New Braunfels?
Short-term rentals are only legal in non-residential zoning districts with a Special Use Permit. They are banned in all residential zones City of New Braunfels.
What is considered a short-term rental in New Braunfels?
A short-term rental is any one- or two-family dwelling rented for less than 30 days City of New Braunfels.
Does a New Braunfels mailing address mean city STR rules apply?
No. Some properties with a New Braunfels address are outside city limits and not subject to city STR rules City of New Braunfels.
Can I operate an STR in Gruene or Canyon Lake under New Braunfels rules?
Only if the property is within New Braunfels city limits. Canyon Lake and other areas may have different rules StaySTRA.com.
Licensing
Is a permit required to operate an STR in New Braunfels?
Yes, a city-issued STR permit is required before advertising or operating City of New Braunfels.
How much does the STR permit cost?
The initial permit fee is $206, which includes the annual fire inspection City of New Braunfels.
What is the annual renewal fee?
The annual renewal fee is $128 Short-Term/Vacation Rental Guide.
Is there a cap on the number of STR permits?
No, there is no cap on STR permits in New Braunfels City of New Braunfels.
Are STR permits transferable to new owners?
No, permits are not transferable. New owners must apply for a new permit City of New Braunfels.
Taxes
What is the total lodging tax rate for STRs in New Braunfels?
The total effective lodging tax is 13% (7% city + 6% state) City of New Braunfels.
Do Airbnb and VRBO collect all required taxes?
They collect and remit the 6% state tax, but hosts must remit the 7% city tax directly Airbnb.
How often must I file hotel occupancy tax returns?
Monthly, by the 20th of each month for the prior month’s collections City of New Braunfels.
Where do I file and pay city hotel occupancy tax?
As of February 1, 2026, all filings and payments must be made through the Rentalscape portal City of New Braunfels.
Operations
Where are STRs allowed in New Braunfels?
Only in non-residential zoning districts with a Special Use Permit; not allowed in C-4, C-4A, C-4B, or residential zones City of New Braunfels.
What is the occupancy limit for STRs?
Maximum occupancy is two adults per sleeping area, plus two additional adults City of New Braunfels.
What are the parking requirements?
One off-street parking space per sleeping area, not including the garage City of New Braunfels.
Is a local contact required?
Yes, a decal with emergency contact information must be visible at the entry City of New Braunfels.
Are annual inspections required?
Yes, annual life safety inspections by the Fire Marshal’s Office are mandatory City of New Braunfels.
Enforcement
What happens if I operate an STR without a permit?
Operating without a permit is a violation and subject to enforcement, but specific penalties are not codified online Code of Ordinances.
How does the city enforce STR rules?
The city uses Rentalscape for compliance monitoring and actively enforces zoning and permit requirements StayInTX.com.
Has the STR ordinance changed recently?
No major amendments since 2011; the residential ban and SUP requirement remain in place as of July 2026 StayInTX.com.
Is there ongoing litigation affecting STR rules?
Yes, the Marfil v. City of New Braunfels case is active, but recent appellate rulings favor the city’s enforcement authority San Antonio Express-News.
Permit Process
All short-term rentals in New Braunfels require a city-issued permit before advertising or operation. The application is submitted online and costs $206, which includes the annual fire inspection. Permits must be renewed annually for $128, with updated insurance and a passed inspection required each year. STR permits are not transferable; new owners must reapply if the property is sold. Operating without a permit is a violation and subject to enforcement City of New Braunfels.
Zoning
STRs are strictly prohibited in all residential zoning districts in New Braunfels. Only non-residential zones are eligible, and a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for operation. STRs are not allowed in C-4, C-4A, or C-4B commercial districts, nor in the floodway. Maximum occupancy is two adults per sleeping area, plus two additional adults. Each STR must provide one off-street parking space per sleeping area, excluding the garage City of New Braunfels.
Taxes and Remittance
Short-term rentals are subject to a 7% city hotel occupancy tax and a 6% state hotel occupancy tax, totaling 13%. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit only the state portion; hosts must file and pay the city tax directly. Monthly filings are required by the 20th of each month, even if no revenue is collected. As of February 1, 2026, all city tax filings must be made through the Rentalscape portal City of New Braunfels.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
New Braunfels enforces its STR ordinance proactively, using Rentalscape for digital monitoring and compliance. The city bans STRs in residential zones and requires a SUP in eligible non-residential districts. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the city’s residential ban in June 2026, confirming the city’s authority to enforce these restrictions. Enforcement includes legal action and monitoring of tax filings San Antonio Express-News.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
No major amendments to the STR ordinance have occurred since 2011. The foundational residential ban and SUP requirement remain unchanged as of July 2026. The key regulatory risk is ongoing litigation (Marfil v. City of New Braunfels), which could impact the residential ban if future appeals succeed. The transition to Rentalscape for tax compliance in 2026 marks a significant operational change StayInTX.com.
Comparable Markets
- San Marcos, TX — Consider if you want a college-town market with its own STR rules.
- Canyon Lake, TX — Consider for unincorporated lakefront STRs with different zoning.
- Seguin, TX — Consider for a nearby city with distinct STR regulations.
- Austin, TX — Consider for a large metro with a complex STR regime.
Sources
- City of New Braunfels – Short Term Rentals: https://www.newbraunfels.gov/3448/Short-Term-Rentals
- City of New Braunfels – Tax Information: https://newbraunfels.gov/2470/Taxes
- City of New Braunfels – Code Compliance: https://www.newbraunfels.gov/3440/Code-Compliance
- Short-Term/Vacation Rental Guide & Process: https://www.newbraunfels.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31856/Short-Term–Vacation-Rental-Guide
- City of New Braunfels – New to NB: https://newbraunfels.gov/4153/New-to-NB
- Code of Ordinances | New Braunfels, TX | Municode Library: https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels
- Comal County Tax Rates: https://www.comalcounty.gov/372/Tax-Rates
- Airbnb Help Center – Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Texas: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2331
- StaySTRA.com: https://staystra.com/beyond-the-waterfront-a-legal-guide-to-short-term-rental-rules-in-canyon-lake/
- StayInTX.com New Braunfels Short-Term Rental Ordinance: 2026 Guide: https://www.stayintx.com/post/new-braunfels-short-term-rental-ordinance
- San Antonio Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/short-term-rental-ban-new-braunfels-upheld-22311677.php
- FOX 7 Austin: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/new-braunfels-short-term-rental-ordinance-upheld-federal-appeals-court
- Yahoo News (San Antonio Express-News syndication): https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/braunfels-short-term-rental-ban-230541372.html
- Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax for STRs: State Requirements (Surge): https://www.gowithsurge.com/blog/texas-hotel-occupancy-tax-strs
- Minut: https://www.minut.com/blog/texas-short-term-rental-laws
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in City of New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas.
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