Can I run a short-term rental in Bellaire?
Short answer: A short-term rental in Bellaire is a rental of not more than 30 days. The city allows them only within its mixed-use districts, under a city permit. Occupancy is capped at two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, never more than 12 persons. Signs for short-term rentals are not permitted.
Can I run a short-term rental in Bellaire?
Layer twoWhat the code actually says, word for wordTap to open
This answer quotes no code text; see the sources below.
City Code Sec. 22-150. · City Code Sec. 22-155. · City Code Sec. 22-155 through Sec. 22-157.Layer threeWho handles it: Development Services DepartmentMap
What counts
The code defines it this way: "Short-term rental means the rental for compensation of all or part of a dwelling for a period of not more than 30 days. The term does not include hotels as permitted by chapter 24 of this Code nor does it include a residence temporarily leased back to a prior owner in connection with a real estate sales transaction."
Rule: City Code Sec. 22-150.
Where and how many people
The code says short-term rentals may be permitted only within the "mixed-use districts of the city" per Sec. 24-501, subject to conditions. Occupancy is "two adults per bedroom, plus two additional adults, while not exceeding a total of 12 persons." Parking is restricted to the maximum number of cars the garage and driveway of the property can hold. A 2A:10B:C type fire extinguisher (a standard five-pound extinguisher) must be mounted within 75 feet of all portions of the structure on each floor. Sec. 22-155 lists other life-safety conditions, and a bedroom that does not comply cannot count toward occupancy or be advertised.
Rule: City Code Sec. 22-155.
Conduct, signs, advertising
Sec. 22-155 bars using amplified sound during quiet hours and other excessive noise or disturbances outside the rental. It also says "Signage for short-term rentals shall not be permitted." The city renews a permit annually through a fire marshal inspection (Sec. 22-156). If a permit or renewal is denied, the owner or operator may appeal to the building and standards commission (Sec. 22-157).
Rule: City Code Sec. 22-155 through Sec. 22-157.
What happens if you don't
Sec. 22-153 declares problem short-term rental operation a nuisance, and a person found violating it is guilty of a misdemeanor and "shall be subject to a fine in accordance with section 1-10 of this Code." We did not find a separate dollar amount there, so the general penalty applies: a fine of up to $500, and each day counts as a new offense (Sec. 1-10; Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.001). The city may also revoke a short-term rental permit for the reasons listed in Sec. 22-158, without refund of any portion of the fee.
Who to call
Development Services Department.
Sources
- City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Sec. 22-150 through Sec. 22-158 (short-term rentals), Sec. 1-10 (general penalty). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
En español
¿Puedo alquilar mi casa a corto plazo en Bellaire? Un alquiler a corto plazo es de no más de 30 días. Solo se permiten dentro de los distritos de uso mixto de la ciudad y necesitan permiso de la ciudad. La ocupación máxima es de dos adultos por dormitorio más dos adultos adicionales, sin pasar de 12 personas. El estacionamiento se limita a los autos que quepan en el garaje y la entrada. No se permiten letreros para alquileres a corto plazo. Debe haber un extinguidor 2A:10B:C montado a no más de 75 pies de todas las partes de la estructura en cada piso, y no se permite el uso de sonido amplificado durante las horas de silencio. El permiso se renueva cada año mediante una inspección del jefe de bomberos (Sec. 22-156). Violar la sección de molestias (Sec. 22-153) es un delito menor y puede costar una multa de hasta $500, y cada día cuenta como una infracción nueva (Sec. 1-10). La ciudad también puede revocar el permiso sin reembolso (Sec. 22-158). Para preguntas, comuníquese con el Departamento de Servicios de Desarrollo.