You asked for a guide centered on Center, Texas, but the content you provided does not address Center or its county (Shelby County). It covers Houston and The Colony. I can only use the provided content and cannot assume or fabricate local rules for Center. Therefore, below you’ll find a concise regulatory guide built strictly from the source materials for Houston and The Colony. If you want a guide for Center, TX specifically, please provide Center-related sources.

Part 1 — Houston, TX STR Regulatory Overview (effective Jan 1, 2026; registration opens Oct 1, 2025)

• Are short-term rentals allowed?
  • Yes. Houston adopted a new short-term rental (STR) ordinance on April 16, 2025; it is effective January 1, 2026. Short-term rentals are defined as renting or offering to rent a dwelling unit (or portion thereof) for less than 30 consecutive days. Registration opens October 1, 2025.
• How to start an STR business in Houston
  • Prepare documents in advance of applying for a Certificate(s) of Registration once registration opens on Oct 1, 2025:
    • Property and owner information
    • Emergency contact details
    • Tax documentation
    • Proof of completed training
    • Signed authorization form
    • Application fee
  • Submit the registration via the city’s designated portal: www.HoustonSTR.org
  • Understand that the application, training, and renewal requirements are likely to include safety and habitability standards and occupancy/guest limits; the city will publish full details at HoustonSTR.org.
• Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines (as announced)
  • Short-Term Rental Certificate(s) of Registration (opens Oct 1, 2025)
  • Property and owner details; emergency contact; tax documentation
  • Proof of training completion
  • Signed authorization form
  • Application fee (amount TBD by the city)
  • Expect annual renewal
  • Note: The city’s portal and FAQ/resources will provide the definitive list and process steps. Visit HoustonSTR.org for the full ordinance, step-by-step registration, FAQs, and host/neighbor resources.
• State and local tax obligations (summary)
  • Hotel Occupancy Tax (H.O.T.): Collect and remit a combined 17% hotel occupancy tax from guests (covers state and local components).
  • Texas Sales Tax: A 8.25% sales tax may also apply to rental income.
  • Airbnb typically collects/remits the hotel occupancy tax automatically for listings hosted on its platform.
  • Income reporting: All STR income must be reported to the IRS; consult a tax professional to ensure accurate reporting and to claim allowable deductions.
• Specific regulations and operational guidance
  • Advertising: All ads must include the STR permit number.
  • Safety/habitability: Hosts must comply with local building and housing standards (e.g., functioning smoke/CO detectors, clearly marked exits, safe electrical systems).
  • Occupancy limits: The city restricts the number of occupants per rental to ensure safety and reduce neighborhood disruption; precise numerical limits will be specified by ordinance and posted at HoustonSTR.org.
  • Zoning: Confirm zoning with the Houston Planning Department before investing; some zones may be restricted or require special use permits.
• Contact information
  • Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Phone: 832-394-9000
    • Location: Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
    • Registration Portal: www.HoustonSTR.org
• Links to source pages
  • www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/news-events/update-administration-regulatory-affairs-department-newly-adopted-short-term-rental
  • www.hostaway.com/blog/rental-arbitrage-in-houston/

Part 2 — The Colony, TX STR Regulatory Overview (program launched Oct 1, 2022)

• Are short-term rentals allowed?
  • Yes. The Colony permits STRs and requires registration and hotel occupancy tax remittance; there are currently no additional prohibitions beyond registration and tax.
• How to start an STR business in The Colony
  • Register your STR with the City of The Colony at the city’s GovOS/MUNIRevs platform: thecolony.munirevs.com
  • Each STR requires its own registration; there is no fee to register.
  • The City has contracted with GovOS (formerly MUNIRevs) to provide a paperless, online compliance platform. Registration began Sept. 15, 2022, and hotel occupancy tax collection started Oct. 1, 2022.
• Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines
  • Short-Term Rental Registration (no fee)
  • Six-digit account number (assigned after registration)
  • Activation code (provided by GovOS support if needed)
  • Note: The Colony does not have a separate permit besides registration; Airbnb and Vrbo do not remit The Colony’s HOT on behalf of operators.
• Hotel Occupancy Tax (H.O.T.)
  • Rate: 7% of gross short-term rents (gross includes all consideration, non-optional fees such as cleaning/pet/extra guest/vehicle fees, and amounts received from lodging intermediaries).
  • Due dates: Quarterly—Jan 31, Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31. If no activity, still submit a zero-file return.
  • Late penalties/interest:
    • Penalties: 10% of tax due on the 61st day after the due date; minimum penalty $1.
    • Interest: 10% per annum begins accruing on the 61st day after the due date; interest does not start until 15 days late.
  • Payment methods: ACH/e-check and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). No transaction fee charged by the City.
  • Amending a return: Email finance with account number, owner name, period, over/underpayment details, and brief explanation.
• Contact information
  • GovOS/MUNIRevs Support (system/account questions)
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Phone: 888-751-1911
  • City of The Colony Finance (HOT-related): [email protected] | Phone: 972-624-3140
  • General STR program/complaints: [email protected]
  • Registration Portal: thecolony.munirevs.com/
  • City Phone (general): 972-625-1756
• Links to source pages
  • www.thecolonytx.gov/1255/Short-Term-Rentals

Key Differences — Houston vs. The Colony

• Definition of STR: Houston defines STRs as < 30 consecutive days.
• Effective/Launch dates: Houston ordinance is effective Jan 1, 2026 (registration opens Oct 1, 2025). The Colony’s program launched Oct 1, 2022.
• Registration: Houston requires a Certificate(s) of Registration (application/training/fee). The Colony has free registration through GovOS/MUNIRevs.
• Taxes: Houston hosts must collect 17% H.O.T. (often automated by Airbnb) and may owe 8.25% sales tax. The Colony imposes 7% H.O.T. payable quarterly via GovOS; no automation by Airbnb/Vrbo.
• Advertising: Houston requires permit numbers in all ads.
• Occupancy limits: Houston imposes guest/occupancy restrictions (numerical limits to be specified by ordinance). The Colony’s posted rules do not list numeric occupancy limits.
• Renewal/fees: Houston requires annual renewal and a fee. The Colony has no registration fee and requires only quarterly HOT filings.

Compliance Checklist (Houston-specific highlights; use The Colony section for The Colony-specific rules)

• Confirm zoning/planning approval before purchase (avoid restricted zones).
• Register your property once registration opens (Oct 1, 2025) at HoustonSTR.org.
• Complete training and submit all required documentation for your Certificate(s) of Registration.
• Display the permit number in all advertisements.
• Implement required safety equipment (smoke/CO detectors, marked exits, safe electrical systems).
• Collect 17% H.O.T. from guests and remit as required; review whether 8.25% sales tax applies.
• Report all STR income on your tax returns; consult a tax professional.
• Maintain adequate STR insurance beyond standard homeowners/renters insurance.
• Keep detailed records of occupancy, complaints, and actions taken to remain compliant.
• Manage community relations: provide neighbors with contact info and establish protocols for addressing issues.

If you can provide Center, TX-specific sources, I will build a dedicated Center-focused guide using only that material.