Skip to content
Taxes›Texas›Cameron County›South Padre Island

South Padre Island
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for South Padre Island, Texas. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

What you need to do in South Padre Island

Checked against the source
  1. No action
    Short-term rentals are allowed in South Padre Island

    The record lists no ban. Zoning and HOA rules for your address still apply.

  2. To do
    Get the South Padre Island short-term rental license or registration

    Term: Annual.

  3. To do
    Collect and remit the 10.5% South Padre Island occupancy tax yourself

    The record says booking platforms do not collect it, so you add it to every booking, platform and direct, and pay it to the authority.

  4. To do
    File monthly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

    Filing portal

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each monthly South Padre Island return is due

Save your rental and its filing dates for free. Starter and Pro email you before each saved date, and when a published rule change for South Padre Island affects your rental.

Create a free account

What to know.

The published guide for South Padre Island lists 10.5% local occupancy tax. The state table lists a 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax in addition. Local hotel occupancy taxes may apply in addition to the state rate. A license or registration is required. Term: Annual.

At a glance.

Local tax
10.5%
State tax
6%
Total for a direct booking
16.5%
License
Required
Local filing
You collect and remit
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

South Padre Island: Recorded exemptions

HOT applies to short-term rental stays of less than 30 consecutive days (hotels, motels, houses, condos, apartments, bedrooms) (SPI Code Ch. 11 Art. VII; city HOT page).

South Padre Island: Recorded filing portal

Open the filing portal (portal.deckard.com)

South Padre Island: Recorded remittance instructions

Self-remit to city (HotTax@myspi.org; online portal) · monthly; Verified 8.5% general + 2% venue = 10.5% city (baseline said 9%+2%) - reconcile; ~16.5% total with state; highest-volume STR market in batch; active Deckard monitoring/enforcement

South Padre Island: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Monthly.

Source for these notes: myspi.org: subcategory

Platform tax collection guidance for South Padre Island

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
VrboPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
Booking.comPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
DirectYou collect and remitYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply before you list. Term: Annual.

  • Collection of the 10.5% local tax

    You collect and remit this tax using the linked filing instructions.

  • File your tax returns

    File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

  • Check the state tax requirements

    Use the linked state tax instructions to register and file.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
South Padre Island occupancy tax10.5%
Source
Source linked
Texas state hotel occupancy tax6%
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

South Padre Island STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my South Padre Island occupancy taxes?

You collect and remit this tax for Airbnb and direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in South Padre Island?

A license or registration is required. Term: Annual.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.