City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Dripping Springs, TX
How Dripping Springs regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here are subject to registration, a lodging tax, or a small number of operating rules.
- STR-specific permit/license process in force (2-yr license as of Oct 1, 2025, Ord. 2025-37)
- 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax on STRs in city limits AND ETJ
- conditional use permit (discretionary) required to operate STR in residential/agricultural zones SF-1, SF-2, AG; not required in commercial GR/CS/HO
- occupancy capped at 2x bedrooms; 2-night minimum stay (per newspaper report of 2017 ordinance)
Based on: Chapter 30 Zoning (STR conditional-use provision) + STR license framework as amended by Ord. 2025-37 (eff. Oct 1
Summary of the rule
City imposes a 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax on hotels, motels, short-term rentals and B&Bs located in the City Limits and the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction; quarterly filing required even if no tax due; Airbnb/VRBO do not remit on operators' behalf.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Dripping Springs · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.