Granite Shoals City Zoning Code
§ 40-26
Short term rentals STR.
(a)
Agent.
For the purposes of this subsection, an agent of an STR shall have the same responsibilities as an owner of an STR and the same rights as an owner to rent a property as an STR.
(b)
Owner.
Owner of an STR shall maintain such premises in compliance with Chapter 8, Article V of this Code. An owner shall not let, rent, or lease an STR for occupancy or use in any manner that does not comply with the provisions of this Code.
(c)
Owner and tenant.
Every owner and every tenant of an STR shall maintain the premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition, including the disposal of rubbish, garbage, organic and inorganic waste, junk, or other waste in a lawful manner.
(d)
Zoning districts allowed.
Short term rentals are allowed in all zoning districts in which residential uses are permitted.
(e)
Registration.
The property owner (or their authorized agent) shall register the short term rental by filing a registration form with the city for each property to be used as a short term rental.
(1)
The registration form shall contain the following information:
(A)
Full disclosure of the complete ownership of the property.
(B)
Address, legal description, and number of bedrooms of the property.
(C)
Contact information, including name, address, and phone number(s) of the owner and of any agent or management company authorized by the owner to maintain the STR. This information shall be provided in order of whom should be contacted first, and shall indicate which individual on the contact list should be able to respond onsite to the subject property within 30 minutes of notification by a law enforcement authority or an official representative of the City.
(D)
Any additional information that may be requested by the city that is necessary to make an informed decision regarding the application.
(E)
A copy of the information that must be provided to each STR renter pursuant to subsection (o) of this Ordinance.
(F)
Proof of property insurance with the “short term rental use” clearly identified that, at a minimum, is sufficient for personal injury liability of guests.
(2)
Registration Period.
Approved registrations are valid for a period of one year from date of approval.
(3)
Registration fee.
A registration fee is required at the time of the filing of a registration form and at each annual renewal. The fee will be listed in Appendix B of this Code, Schedule of Fees and Charges. To be eligible for renewal, the applicant must provide continuous proof of reporting/payment of the city hotel occupancy tax for the prior year for the dates the property has been rented.
(4)
Denial of registration.
A registration that is denied will result in a full refund of the corresponding registration fee. The city may deny registration if:
(A)
It appears that the documents submitted by the owner or authorized agent are incomplete, not valid, or that the documents produced do not show the existence of the short term rental use in accordance with this section;
(B)
Valid and unresolved nuisance complaint(s) have been filed with the city about the subject property;
(C)
The subject property does not comply with all applicable local and state health, fire, and LCRA regulations, statutes, or ordinances; or
(D)
An applicant seeking renewal fails to provide continuous proof of reporting/payment of the city hotel occupancy tax for the prior year.
(5)
Revocation.
The city may, in writing, suspend or revoke a registration issued under the provisions of this section when it is determined that:
(A)
The registration was issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied,
(B)
The circumstances described in subsection(s) have occurred,
(C)
The short term rental use produces a nuisance as defined in the city’s Code of Ordinances or otherwise results in a violation of any ordinance of the city or applicable regulation, or
(D)
The building or structure, or portion thereof, is in violation of applicable local and state health, fire, or LCRA regulations, statutes, or ordinances.
(6)
Transferability.
Registration of a short term rental does not transfer from one property owner to another.
(f)
[Reserved.]
(g)
Fire Inspections.
The City has adopted the International Fire Code. Annual inspections may be conducted by the City to ensure that an STR property meets the current International Fire Code. Inspections will include verifying working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
(h)
Occupancy Limits.
Overnight guest occupancy may not exceed two (2) persons per bed, including temporary beds such as roll-away beds or pull-out couches, plus an additional two persons, not including infant sleeping accommodations.
(i)
Noise.
Property shall be subject to Chapter 16, Article II of the City of Granite Shoals Code of Ordinances.
(j)
Parking.
Property shall require one off-street parking spot for each bedroom of the STR. No on street parking is permitted, and no impediment to ingress and egress to surrounding properties is permitted.
(k)
Property exterior.
Exterior grounds are to be maintained as specified in Chapter 8, Article V of this Code.
(l)
Pets.
To the extent the property owner wishes to allow pets at an STR, the number of pets in an STR is a maximum of five pursuant to the applicable portions of Article IV of this Code, excluding the requirement to register the pet(s) with the City. If a pet is involved in an incident listed in Section 4-7(a)(1) of this Code, the pet owner must be able to show proof of pet’s current rabies inoculation. If proof is not provided, Animal Control will take custody of the animal until such time as proof is provided, or the animal is euthanized per Section 4-9 of this Code.
(m)
Signage.
No exterior signage is allowed, other than the premises address.
(n)
Trash and Recycling.
(1)
Containers.
The number of trash containers required shall be based on the maximum number of overnight occupants permitted on the property. For 1-4 occupants, one container provided by the City’s solid waste service provider is required; for 5-8, two containers are required; more than 8 occupants, three containers will be required.
(2)
Owner/agent is responsible for ensuring that trash containers are placed in their pickup position not more than 24 hours prior to pick-up, and returned to a storage location within 24 hours after pickup. Recycle bins are subject to the same requirements.
(o)
Exterior Lighting.
No lighting shall be permitted that results in direct or reflected glare into a nearby residence or into a public street that creates a driving hazard. Lighting shall be hooded or shielded. This excludes streetlights.
(p)
Information to be provided to each STR renter by the owner or agent.
(1)
Maximum number of overnight guests permitted.
(2)
Maximum number of parking spaces allocated to the property, and location of offsite parking (including parking for boat trailers), if available.
(3)
24-hour contact number(s) of owner/agent.
(4)
Telephone number of City Utilities Department. Fire Department, and Police Department.
(5)
Notification of what constitutes trash and what items are recyclable.
(6)
Notification of trash pickup day.
(7)
Notification of recycle pickup day.
(8)
Signage instructing guests that fireworks are prohibited in the City of Granite Shoals, and that violations may result in conviction of a misdemeanor with a penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 for each offense, with each day of violation constituting a separate offense. Such signage must be placed in a conspicuous location visible to the guest, and must be included in any instructions provided to the guest.
(9)
Other information as may be deemed pertinent by owner/agent or the city.
(q)
The city manager and/or his or her designee may enforce the provisions of this Section.
(s)
Penalties.
Following the issuance of a citation to an STR tenant of a violation of this Ordinance by the city’s enforcement authority, the owner shall be notified of the citation and the following penalties shall apply to the owner:
(1)
First offense in a twelve month period, a warning citation shall be issued to owner.
(2)
Second offense in a twelve month period, a fine of $100.00 shall be levied on owner.
(3)
Third offense in a twelve month period, a fine of $250.00 shall be levied on owner.
(4)
Fourth offense in a twelve month period, a fine of $500.00 shall be levied on owner, and owner’s STR registration permit shall be suspended for a period of six (6) months from the date of payment of the fine.
(5)
The owner of an STR is responsible for payment of any citations issued to that owner’s tenant if the tenant does not pay the citation within the required timeframe.
(Ordinance 409-E, sec. 3, adopted 2/28/12; Ordinance 807 adopted 4/13/21; Ordinance 878 adopted 9/9/2025)