City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Marfa, TX
How Marfa regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- STR permit required with annual renewal ($500 + $100/unit)
- self-reported safety inspection checklist and proof of insurance required
- no cap or quota on number of STRs
- no primary-residence requirement
Based on: City of Marfa STR Ordinance 2022-16 (effective 2023-01-01, building on original 2007 STR ordinance); City HOT Ordinance
Summary of the rule
STR Ordinance 2022-16 (enacted PDF): 'It shall be unlawful for any owner or person to rent, lease, advertise, or otherwise permit or allow any premises to be operated or used as an unpermitted Short-Term Rental.' MINISTERIAL issuance standard: 'Upon application to the City, a short-term rental permit shall be approved by th[e] Administrator, or designee, if the application satisfies all the conditions of this Ordinance and the zoning ordinance. The administrator may place reasonable conditions on short-term rental permits...' Permit Limitations: 'Short-term rental permits are not transferable' and 'shall expire on the last day of the month one year after the date of issuance' (annual). No numeric cap, no per-owner limit, no primary-residence/residency requirement anywhere in the ordinance. 'Short-term rental' defined as use of a 'residence or residential structure or room or rooms within a residence' -> STRs contemplated in residential structures citywide.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 17, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Marfa · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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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.