About the Program

The City Council passed an ordinance in November 2007 requiring all single family residences used as rental properties in the City of Sugar Land to be licensed and inspected by the City.  In July 2009, the City Council amended the Ordinance to include multi-family rental properties. The City of Sugar Land ’s primary concern is to gain compliance with our regulations relating to the safe occupancy of property and ensure that rental properties are conforming to the same property maintenance standards as owner occupied homes within the City. 

If you own any rental property in Sugar Land, as the property owner you will have to meet a few requirements under the City’s Rental program including:

1. Annually filing an application for a Rental License and paying $80.00 Licensing Fee.
2. Maintaining your property in compliance with all City codes relating to Health, Sanitation, and Property Maintenance.
3. Remedying any violation of City codes found on your property.
4. Not renting your unit to a Registered Sex Offender if the unit is within 2500 ft of an area designated as a “Child Area” under Article XI, Chapter 3 of the Sugar Land Code of Ordinances

You will need to submit an application for a Rental License and pay the fee as soon as possible (link to the application is provided below). Owners of unlicensed rental properties can be fined up to $500.00 a day for each day that the unit is rented without a license.  Water service will also not be provided to rental properties not having a license.

As soon as the City receives your application, we will conduct an inspection of the exterior and grounds of your property to ensure that it is in compliance with all of the City’s Health, Sanitation, and Property Maintenance Codes.  If no violations are found the City will issue a license to continue operating your property as a rental unit.  If violations are discovered, the City will work with you to establish a schedule for the remediation of the violations and the issuance of a Rental License.

The City is committed to working with you to ensure that your property complies with all applicable standards. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Rental Licensing Program at 281-275-2785 or send us an e-mail at rentalprogram@sugarlandtx.gov

Rental License Application (This document can be printed, completed and submitted to our office).

Online Rental License Application (Click here for instructions on how to navigate through this process)

Guide for Tenants, Landlords and the Community Handbook