Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Port Bolivar?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Port Bolivar. Port Bolivar is an unincorporated community within Galveston County and is subject to Galveston City regulations (as the primary local framework for STRs on the county’s coastal areas). The City of Galveston maintains a formal short-term rental program, including registration, advertising requirements, tax remittance, and a 24/7 complaint hotline. State-level requirements (Hotel Occupancy Tax) also apply in Texas.

Bottom line: To operate legally, you must register with the City of Galveston (if hosting guests in Port Bolivar), follow the city’s rules, and comply with state tax laws.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Port Bolivar

• Choose a compliant property: ensure zoning and HOA rules allow STRs.
• Register with the City of Galveston STR program and obtain your Galveston Vacation Rental (GVR) number.
• Set up tax compliance: collect and remit the 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and 9% city HOT, or confirm the platform is remitting state HOT on your behalf.
• Prepare the property: install safety equipment (smoke alarms, etc.) and set a maximum occupancy that complies with local limits.
• Establish a local contact available 24/7 to respond to issues within one hour.
• Create listings with your GVR number on all platforms and marketing channels.
• Enroll guests and operate: implement check-in/out processes, housekeeping, and guest communications.
• Monitor compliance and renew your registration annually by December 31.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City registration (GVR number) through the Galveston STR program
• $250 registration fee (new and annual renewal)
• Annual renewal deadline: December 31
• Display of GVR number in all advertisements (platforms, websites, private listings)
• Maximum occupancy limit: 10 adults per STR (typical city guidance)
• Local contact person available 24/7 with one-hour response capability
• Taxes: collect and remit 6% state HOT and 9% city HOT (or rely on platform remittance for state HOT)
• HOA compliance (if applicable)
• Maintain a “Good Neighbor” approach per City’s brochure

Specific Regulations (City of Galveston for Port Bolivar; State of Texas)

City of Galveston STR Program

• Registration required; obtain a Galveston Vacation Rental (GVR) number
• Registration fee: $250 (new and renewals)
• Annual renewal: by December 31
• Advertising: GVR number must be shown on all ads and listings
• Occupancy: up to 10 adults per unit (standard city limit)
• Local contact: 24/7 availability; respond to issues within one hour
• Taxes:
  • 6% Texas state HOT
  • 9% Galveston city HOT
  • If a platform collects and remits state HOT, you may not need to register or file state returns
• Enforcement:
  • Violations can be Class C misdemeanors (up to $500 per offense)
  • Delinquent properties face legal action and late penalties
• Complaint and reporting:
  • 24/7 STR hotline for noise, trash, and code violations
  • Online reporting and payment portal available
• Neighborhood restrictions:
  • Certain areas may have additional limits (City provides a map layer for neighborhoods with STR restrictions)
• HOA rules:
  • Properties within HOAs must also follow HOA rules and restrictions

State of Texas

• Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) of 6% applies to short-term rentals
• If a hosting platform collects and remits state HOT, hosts may not need to register or file state returns for that tax
• Taxes are generally remitted monthly or quarterly

Contacts (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

City of Galveston – Short-Term Rental Program

• Email: str@galvestontx.gov
• Phone: 409-797-5195 (Dawn Robinson; Corrine Lawrence)
• STR Hotline (24/7 concerns/complaints): 409-247-8160
• City Address:
  • City of Galveston, P.O. Box 779, 823 Rosenberg, Galveston, TX 77553
  • Phone: 409-797-3500

Online Resources (City of Galveston)

• Short-Term Rental Registration & Renewals
• Online Reporting & Payment
• Complaint Procedures
• Ordinances, Authorization & Penalties
• Good Neighbor Brochure
• Registered STR Search Portal
• STR Data
• Neighborhoods with STR Restrictions Map

Note: Port Bolivar is unincorporated and the City of Galveston’s STR framework applies to STRs in this area.

Links to Source Pages

• Short-term rental owner resources (City of Galveston): www.galvestontx.gov/1182/Short-term-rental-owner
• Neighborhoods with STR restrictions map (City of Galveston): galveston.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e787b26eb1044c6a8ea1a07525295981
• Good Neighbor Brochure (City of Galveston): galvestontx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21168/Good-Neighbor-Brochure-2026

If you are targeting Port Bolivar investors or operators, treat this as a “low-regulation” market compared to many other Texas coastal cities. That flexibility, combined with strong seasonal demand, typically supports attractive revenue potential. Ensure you maintain the city registration, advertising and occupancy rules, and tax compliance.