Village of Surfside Beach, Texas
Short-Term Rentals (STR) & Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)
Register or renew your short-term rental and pay Surfside’s 5% local Hotel Occupancy Tax through the online portal.
STR / HOT Portal Login
Overview
If you operate or plan to operate a short-term rental in Surfside Beach, you must register the property and file local Hotel Occupancy Tax reports. Use the portal below to manage registration, renewals, and payments.
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Total HOT
11%
5% City + 6% State
Airbnb and VRBO, do not submit local taxes to Surfside Beach
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Registration Renewal
December 31
Annual renewal date. Fees are not prorated. |
Reports Due
Quarterly
Local returns are due on the 20th of April, July, October and January. |
Portal
Host Compliance
One portal for STR registration, renewals, and HOT payments. |
Register / Renew Your STR & Pay HOT
Use the STR & HOT Portal to register a new short-term rental, renew an existing registration, file HOT returns, pay Surfside’s 5% local HOT, and update mailing or local contact information. Printable HOT Form
- Annual renewal: registrations expire on December 31 each year.
- Reporting required: a HOT report must be filed even if no tax is due for the reporting period.
- Payment processor: Stripe. A convenience fee may apply.
Open STR & HOT Portal
Fees & Payments
| Type |
Frequency |
Amount |
Notes |
| STR Registration |
Annual (Dec 31) |
$200.00 |
Not prorated |
| Late HOT Payment |
Per occurrence |
5% + additional 5% |
10% interest per annum after 60 days past due |
Due Dates & Reporting
Surfside (Local) Reporting
- Q1 (Jan–Mar): Due April 20
- Q2 (Apr–Jun): Due July 20
- Q3 (Jul–Sep): Due October 20
- Q4 (Oct–Dec): Due January 20
- A report must be filed even if no tax is due.
Local penalties: 5% on the first late day, an additional 5% at 30 days, and 10% interest per annum beginning 60 days past due.
Texas (State) Reporting
- Monthly: Due on the 20th of the following month.
- Quarterly (if qualified): Due on the 20th after the end of the quarter.
- Penalties: $50 late report; 5% penalty 1–30 days late; 10% penalty after 30 days.
- On-time discount: 1% if filed and paid by the due date.
How to Run a Compliant Short-Term Rental
What is a short-term rental?
A short-term rental is a residential unit rented for 30 days or less. Platforms such as Airbnb or Vrbo generally remit only the state 6% tax. You are still responsible for Surfside’s local 5% HOT.
Operating Requirements
- Maintain a valid STR registration.
- Post the Village-issued placard where visible from the street.
- Include the registration number in advertisements.
- List a local 24/7 contact who can respond within 1 hour.
- Collect the full 11% HOT on taxable stays under 30 days.
- File returns even for $0 activity.
- Keep records for at least 4 years.
30+ Day Stays
No tax is collected after a guest becomes a permanent resident. A permanent resident stay is 30 continuous days or more.
Application Process
- Submit Application – Complete the online STR registration application and provide all required information and documentation.
- Village Review – Village staff review the application for completeness and compliance with Surfside requirements.
- Approval & Payment – Once approved, you will receive instructions to complete payment through the secure online portal.
- Pay Registration Fee – Remit the annual STR registration fee through the online payment system.
- Registration Issued – After approval and payment are complete, your STR registration will be issued electronically.
Penalties & Enforcement
- Quarterly returns and payments are due by the 20th day of the month following the quarter.
- Taxes become delinquent 30 days after the due date.
- Late payment penalties: 5% after 30 days delinquent, 10% after 60 days delinquent, and 15% after 90 days delinquent.
- On-time filers may keep a 1% collection fee.
- Failure to collect, report, remit, or maintain records may be treated as a misdemeanor.
- Violations may be punishable by fines up to $500 per day, per offense.
- The Village may pursue legal collection and court action for unpaid taxes.
Late Payment Penalties
- 5% penalty after 30 days delinquent
- 10% penalty after 60 days delinquent
- 15% penalty after 90 days delinquent
- Only the Village Council may waive penalties
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Additional Compliance Notes
- Extensions may be granted in writing for up to 30 days at a time.
- Records must be kept for four years.
- If no return is filed, tax may be estimated from prior-year activity.
- Final returns are due within 15 days after sale or closure of the business.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register before I list on Airbnb or Vrbo?
Yes. You must apply for a Surfside STR registration before listing your property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms.
Do I have to pay tax or file a report if I had no guests?
Yes. A HOT report must be filed for each reporting period, even if no tax is due.
When is my STR registration due?
All Surfside STR registrations expire on December 31 each year. Fees are not prorated.
Do platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo pay Surfside’s 5% city HOT for me?
No. Platforms typically remit only the state 6% portion. You are responsible for collecting and remitting Surfside’s 5% local HOT through the STR & HOT Portal.
I received a HOT or STR letter but I sold the property. What do I do?
Please contact City Hall at 979-233-1531 ext. 106 or email csr@surfsidetx.org so ownership records and mailing information can be updated.
Report an Illegal or Problem STR
If you believe a property is operating without a permit, is not remitting HOT, or is causing noise, trash, or parking issues, contact the Village.
Ordinance & Legal Authority
Surfside’s hotel occupancy tax and short-term rental requirements are established in the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 44, Article III – Hotel Occupancy Tax.
View Ordinance on Municode
- Sec. 44-44 – Definitions for hotel, short-term rental, occupancy, and related terms.
- Sec. 44-45 – Tax rate summary: total 11% made up of 5% City and 6% State.
- Sec. 44-49 – Returns, payments, remittance obligations, and records retention.
- Sec. 44-54 – Compliance and penalties, including late fees, interest, and collection actions.
Village of Surfside Beach, Texas
City Hall: 1304 Monument Drive, Surfside Beach, TX 77541 · 979-233-1531 · STR & HOT Portal: surfsidebeachtx-self.govplatform.com · Contact: csr@surfsidetx.org