Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Honey Grove?

Based on the provided sources, the explicit, city‑specific status of short‑term rentals within Honey Grove is not available. Honey Grove has an ETJ (Extra‑Territorial Jurisdiction) interlocal agreement with Fannin County, and the county’s Development Services Department administers permitting online through the MGO ONLINE portal; however, the county page does not publish Honey Grove zoning or STR rules. Consequently, the default posture is that STRs are allowed in unincorporated Fannin County (outside municipal zoning) when you obtain applicable building and development permits and comply with state and county regulations. Property in Honey Grove city limits is subject to the city’s zoning and any adopted ordinances; investors must verify with the City of Honey Grove or the Fannin County Development Services office (which manages ETJ matters) before listing. In practical terms, most single‑family homes can be operated as STRs subject to state‑level health and safety codes, county permitting, septic approvals (if on well/septic), and hotel occupancy tax registration.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in This Market

• Confirm jurisdiction and property status
  • Determine whether the subject property lies inside Honey Grove city limits or in the ETJ/unincorporated area of Fannin County.
  • Contact Fannin County Development Services to verify zoning applicability and ETJ procedures; use the online portal for applications.
• Align the structure with county standards
  • Ensure the unit is a lawful, permitted residential structure; if adding or converting space, secure appropriate building permits (online via MGO).
• Address on‑site utilities and waste
  • Verify that water/wastewater service is legal and adequate. If using septic, obtain Environmental/ OSSF permits through Fannin County.
• Comply with hotel occupancy tax (HOT)
  • Register for county HOT if you operate a short‑term rental (most rental arrangements meeting the legal definition of a “hotel” are taxable).
  • File and remit HOT per the county schedule; coordinate with your tax professional for compliance.
• Property condition and safety
  • Meet all applicable state residential building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes (apply for and pass required inspections).
• Insurance and hosting platform compliance
  • Obtain liability and property insurance appropriate to short‑term rentals; ensure listings on platforms satisfy local safety and occupancy standards.
• Address assignment and access
  • Ensure 911 addressing is assigned and records are current; confirm driveway/right‑of‑way compliance if applicable.
• Marketing and operations
  • Once permits and taxes are in place, list and operate the STR with documented house rules, emergency procedures, and on‑call management.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Building and development permits (via MGO ONLINE portal)
  • Building permit for any new construction, additions, or major alterations.
  • Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits as applicable.
• Environmental/ OSSF permits (if on septic)
  • On‑site sewage facility approvals and inspections through Environmental Development.
• Right‑of‑way/culvert permit (if work in county road right‑of‑way)
  • Policy and application available on the county site; required for driveways or any work within county ROW.
• 911 addressing
  • Obtain rural addressing through TCOG (Texas Council of Governments) as required for emergency response.
• Hotel Occupancy Tax registration and compliance
  • Register for county HOT, collect from guests, and file per county instructions.
• Subdivision/plat documentation (if applicable)
  • Confirm compliance with county subdivision rules if the property is a replat or short plat; see Subdivision Committee materials.
• ETJ/ interlocal documents (when in Honey Grove ETJ)
  • Interlocal agreement between Honey Grove and Fannin County clarifies jurisdiction; map is provided for reference.
• State of Texas codes
  • Compliance with minimum building and safety standards for residential structures as adopted by local authorities.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City/County/State)

City of Honey Grove

• No explicit city‑specific STR ordinance or zoning limitations were found in the provided sources.
• The city has an ETJ interlocal agreement with Fannin County, and property within ETJ typically follows county standards for permitting and development.
• If the property is inside Honey Grove city limits, you must verify any local zoning or STR rules directly with the city.

Fannin County (applies in unincorporated areas and ETJ)

• Online permitting is required for building, development, and ROW work; use the MGO ONLINE portal.
• On‑site sewage (septic) must be approved via Environmental/ OSSF Services.
• Subdivision compliance is required for any land divisions; consult Subdivision Committee documents if relevant.
• County HOT applies to short‑term rentals meeting the statutory definition of a hotel; register and remit taxes per county guidance.

State of Texas

• STRs must comply with state health, safety, building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes; secure all applicable permits and pass inspections.
• Hotel occupancy tax (Tax Code Chapter 156) generally applies to short‑term lodging; local HOT rates may be added to the state rate.
• No statewide STR licensing was identified in the provided sources; local governments may impose additional requirements.
• Alcohol service is subject to TABC licensing if applicable.

Note: If Honey Grove adopts STR‑specific rules after the date of this guide, those will supersede the general posture and should be verified with the city.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs/Development)

• Fannin County Development Services
  • Address: 1203 E. Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham, Texas 75418
  • Phone: 903‑449‑4220
  • Email: development@fanninco.net
  • Online permitting and applications: MGO ONLINE portal (sign in or create an account)
  • Environmental/ OSSF Services: link available through county site
• Texas Council of Governments (911 Addressing)
  • Website: www.tcog.com/regional-services/gis/9-1-1-addressing/
• City of Honey Grove
  • For city limits or ETJ clarifications, contact the City of Honey Grove directly (no specific phone/email provided in the sources; coordinate through county ETJ pages).

Source Pages (Important Links)

• Fannin County – Development Services (ETJ, permitting, HOT, subdivisions, addresses)
  • www.co.fannin.tx.us/page/fannin.developmentservices
• Fannin County – Hotel Occupancy Taxes
  • www.co.fannin.tx.us/page/fannin.hoteloccupancytaxes
• Honey Grove ETJ – Interlocal Agreement (PDF)
  • www.co.fannin.tx.us/upload/page/8683/docs/ETJ%20Information/Honey%20Grove%20ETJ%20interocal%20agreement%20%2003-25-2002.pdf
• Honey Grove – ETJ Map (PDF)
  • www.co.fannin.tx.us/upload/page/8683/docs/ETJ%20Information/Honey%20grove%20working%20base%20map%20water.pdf
• MGO ONLINE – Permitting Portal
  • mgoconnect.org/auth/cplogin
• TCOG – 911 Addressing
  • www.tcog.com/regional-services/gis/9-1-1-addressing/
• Fannin County – Subdivision Regulations (PDF)
  • www.co.fannin.tx.us/upload/page/8683/docs/Subdivision/exec%20and%20filed%20Subdivision%20Regulations%2009-17-2024.pdf

Final note: Because no explicit Honey Grove STR/zoning rules are published in the provided sources, investors should treat STRs as permissible subject to state codes and county permits; any city‑specific limits should be confirmed with the City of Honey Grove or Fannin County Development Services prior to acquisition or listing.