Frequently Asked Questions

A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a privately owned dwelling rented to the public for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. This includes:

• Single-family dwellings
• Multiple-family attached dwellings
• Apartment houses
• Condominiums
• Duplexes
• Mobile homes
• Portions of any such dwellings

Yes, it is unlawful to rent or advertise any Short-Term Rental without a valid permit issued by the City of Kemah.

 The standard STR permit fee is $450. However, owners who provide proof of an approved sound monitoring system may receive a credit of up to $150.

An STR permit is valid for one calendar year, expiring on December 31st, regardless of the date it was issued. Permits for the upcoming year can be applied starting November 1st, and they must be renewed annually to remain compliant.

The following properties are exempt from STR regulations under this article:

• Hotels and motels
• Dormitories
• Public or private clubs
• Recreational vehicle (RV) parks
• Hospitals and medical clinics
• Nursing homes or convalescent homes
• Foster homes, halfway houses, and transitional housing facilities
• Housing operated exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes
• Government-owned housing used to accommodate employees or for governmental purposes

Applicants must provide the following information:

• Owner’s and operator’s contact details (name, address, email, and phone).
• Local contact person’s 24-hour contact details.
• Address of the STR.
• Maximum occupancy (generally two persons per bedroom, plus two).
• Maximum on-site parking spaces.
• Certification of compliance with health and safety standards.
• A floor plan and site plan showing parking availability.
• A list of all advertised rental platforms.
• If the owner is a business entity, the trade name and details of registered agents.
• Acknowledgment of receipt of STR regulations and agreement to comply.

A property qualifies as an STR if rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Rentals of 30 days or more are not subject to these regulations.

• Submit a complete application with the required information and fee.
• Receive a provisional 30-day permit based on the owner's certified statements.
• Allow the city to inspect within 30 days to confirm health, safety, and occupancy standards compliance.
• Upon passing the inspection, the City will issue the final permit, valid for the remainder of the calendar year.

• Penalties: Violations may result in fines of up to $400 per day for repeated offenses.
• Permit Suspension or Revocation: Multiple violations, including noise complaints or failure to comply with health and safety standards, can lead to permit suspension or revocation.
• Civil Penalties: If the police are summoned to address violations, a $350 "call-out fee" may be assessed

Owners have the right to appeal permit suspensions or revocations.