About City Government

The Citizens adopted the Home Rule Charter for the City of South Padre Island at an election held on November 3, 2009.  The benefits of local government outlined in the Home Rule Charter affirm the values of representative democracy, professional management, strong political leadership, citizen participation and regional cooperation through the Council-Manager form of government.

The City Council consisting of the Mayor and Five Council Members and the City Manager's Office comprised of the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Secretary and Executive Assistant form the City's strategic team.  These two bodies are responsible for the formulation and communication of public policy to meet community needs, assure orderly development in the City, and provide for the general administration of the City.

The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge and various citizen boards and commissions.  The City Council's public policy activities include:  1)financial management of the City by adopting the City's annual budget, establishing general objectives and provide for an annual independent audit of the City's financial records; 2)reviewing and adopting all ordinances and resolutions; and 3)establish programmatic goals and strategic direction for the City.

The strategic team has identified two major economic drivers for the local economy which includes the beach and the convention center.  The City's efforts to manage the beach is highlighted by the staffing of a Shoreline Director who oversees the delicate balance of maintaining a pristine beach to attract tourist while implementing ecologically sound best practices regarding beach maintenance.  The unique organizational structure empowers the Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau to implement a progressive marketing plan for the community and to maintain a space to attract conventions to the Island. 

About Our Island

About the Community

Staff Directory

• For phone numbers of city staff, visit the CityStaff Directory
• For a directory of departments and their phone numbers, visit the CityDepartment Directory

Eco-Tourism Center South

Bids/RFPs

If you would like your company's name to be placed on the City of South Padre Island Bid Notification List, you must subscribe to the Bids/RFPs email notification. Please visit the Email Notifications page to subscribe to the Bids/RFPs email notification or any of the other email notifications the City offers.

Fill this form to Unsubscribe


Bid Notices - Bid notices will also be posted below as they become available.

Area Education

Certified Retirement Community

South Padre Island has been designated as a Certified Retirement Community by the State of Texas.  For more information please visit the following websites.

www.TimeToCoast.org - The South Padre Island Certified Retirement Community website

www.RetireInTexas.org - The State of Texas Certified Retirement Community website

Eco-Tourism Center North

Convention & Visitors Bureau

The South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is an excellent resource for anyone planning to visit South Padre Island.  You can find out more information by visiting the CVB website at www.sopadre.com.

Corral Street Boat Ramp

Events Calendar

Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan document sets forth the City of South Padre Island's vision for its future physical and economic development. It is designed to give form to the general statement of vision by specifying the necessary steps to accomplish the vision and realize tangible outcomes. Sound planning is equally important for the City Council, land owners, residents, and the millions of recreational visitors who are attracted to the Island's beaches and abundant natural resources. Most importantly, this plan is intended to accommodate the Island's future growth and seize its economic development opportunities in a manner that is both livable and sustainable.

Chapter 1 - Planning Framework
Chapter 2 - Town Profile
Chapter 3 - Land Use
Chapter 4 - Mobility
Chapter 5 - Parks & Resources
Chapter 6 - Growth & Infrastructure
Chapter 7 - Economic Development
Chapter 8 - Implementation
Implementation Goals

Department Reports

Cost of Living

The City of South Padre Island is a unique place because of the high level of tourism and international property owners. Therefore data on the cost of living is limited and very difficult to be sure about the accuracy. Based on 2020 Census information the following numbers were provided.

Cost of Living index - 86.3

Population Estimate in 2023: 2,800

Males: 55.3%

Females: 44.7%

Guide to South Padre Island

The Guide to South Padre Island is a free publication provided by the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce. It is available in digital format by visiting the links below.

For more information please visit the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce website at www.spichamber.com.

Home Rule Charter

To view the Home Rule Charter, please click here.

Lodging

The South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains an updated list of places to stay when visiting the Island. You can visit their website at www.sopadre.com or go directly to the specific sections that are of interest by using the links below.

EDC

• Meetings on Demand - Select the Economic Development Corporation link within this page to view online videos of recent EDC Board Meetings. 

Property Taxes

Currently, the citizens of South Padre Island pay an effective tax rate of $2.001669 per $100 of assessed value.  This tax rate is comprised from a number of taxing entities and a breakdown is displayed in the table below.  The City's tax rate for South Padre Island is $0.313740 per $100 of assessed value which is the second-lowest taxing city in Cameron County.

2021 Tax Rates for SPI Residents

A comparison of tax rates from other cities in the county can be found in the table below.

City's Tax Rates in Cameron County

In addition, if you live in the City of South Padre Island you may qualify for additional exemptions.  A tax cap for residents of the City of South Padre Island that is 65 and older and/or disabled is available through the Cameron County Appraisal District.  For more information on exemptions and other related tax questions, you may contact the Cameron County Appraisal District at: (956) 399-9322 or www.CameronCAD.org.

Ordinances

Weather

The Weather is one of the major attractions for people visiting and living on South Padre Island. Enjoying a nice walk on the beach in the middle of winter in a short sleeve shirt and shorts is a common occurrence. In the summer an almost constant ocean breeze makes even the hottest of days enjoyable. You can view the current weather as well as statistical information provided by The Weather Channel by visiting the links below.

Sales Tax Information

Hotel Occupancy Tax

Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) is collected for short-term rental stays of less than 30 consecutive days which includes Hotel/Motel stays, and residential rental units, i.e., house, condo, apartment and bedroom stays.

Chapter 11, Article VII of the SPI Code of Ordinances

Ordinance 25-04

STEPS for city compliance with H.O.T. & short term rentals:

To register a property for short term rental (STR), complete each step in the order listed below.

1. Apply for Avenu Insight taxpayer account to pay City HOT(10.5%). 
2. Apply for a Texas Taxpayer ID to pay State HOT(6%).
3. Apply for a STR License.
4. List the license number in all advertisements of the property. 
5. File HOT monthly with Avenu Insight and the Texas State Comptroller.

To Renew or Update License information Click Here.

To Browse all registered STR properties Click Here. 

Regarding the tax rate breakdown?

The City of South Padre Island's Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is 10.5%, comprised of a 8.5% general occupancy tax and a 2% venue tax. The City of SPI has partnered with Avenu Insight for the collection of its Hotel Occupancy Taxes. 

There is also a Cameron County venue tax of .5%. Cameron County has partnered with Localgov for the collection of its Hotel Occupancy Taxes.

The City of SPI and Cameron County tax is in addition to the 6% rate imposed by the State of Texas, which must be remitted separately to the State Comptroller. For more information regarding State Hotel Occupancy Tax, please visit the State Comptroller website or        call 1-800-252-1385.

The Hotel Occupancy Tax rate is broken down as follows:

City HOT 8.5%

City Venue Tax 2%

         SPI HOT Total   10.5%

County Venue Tax         0.5%     

   State HOT Total            6.0%

                     Total HOT    17%

Regarding Avenu account number, Hotel Occupancy Tax (10.5%) remittance, and filing procedures?

Please contact Avenu Insight directly at 1-866-240-3665 or RDSSupport@avenuinsights.com.

Regarding Remittance of County HOT (0.5%)?

Please contact the Cameron County Economic Development Office at 956-544-0828 or visit their website at https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/cameron-county-hotel-tax-information-hot/

Regarding Remittance of State HOT (6%)? 

Please contact the Texas State Comptroller at 1-800-252-1385.

For any other questions:

Please contact us at: 956-761-8382 or hottax@myspi.org. 

Fees

Fee Schedule for All City Services are as Follows

View Fees by Department

• Administrative Services
• Planning Department
• Police Department
• Fire Department
• Environmental Health Services
• Building Department
• Beach Maintenance

Conflict of Interest

A vendor, any person that enters or seeks to enter, into a contract with the City is required to file a "Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire"(click here) if the vendor has a business relationship with the City and has:

1. An employment or other business relationship with an officer of an officer's family member that results in the officer receiving taxable income that is more than $2,500 in the preceding twelve months; or
2. Has given an officer or an officer's family member one or more gifts totaling more than $250 in the preceding twelve months. 

A City "Officer or Official" includes members of the City Council, Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Ethics, Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Visitors Transition Board.

A vendor is required to file a questionnaire not later than the seventh business day after the later of the following:  (1) the date that the vendor begins discussion or negotiations to enter into a contract with the city or submits an application or response to a bid proposal; or (2) the date that the vendor becomes aware of a relationship or gives a gift to an officer or officer's family member.

Statements and disclosures must be filed with the City Secretary Nikki Soto : nsoto@myspi.org

Forms & Applications

• Boards & Committee Application
• 2016-2017 Outside Agency Funding Application

Building Division

• Building Permit Application
• Board of Adjustment & Appeals Application
• Sign Permit Application
• Temporary Structure Permit Application
• Right of Way Permit Application
• Paint Permit Application

    (Please allow 5-7 business days to review and approval)

    To schedule an inspection please call 956-761-8104

Shoreline Department

• Beach and Dune Permit - A fee of $250.00 are required for permits that can be done in-house, and a fee of $600 is required if it requires outside approval.
• Property Maintenance - A fee of $75.00 is required.
• Retaining Wall/Walkway Maintenance  - A fee of $50.00 is required
• Beach Use Permit  A fee of $25.00 is required.

    To schedule an appointment with the Shoreline Department please Click here

Code Enforcement

• Umbrella Permit Application
• Food Establishment Plan Review Application
• Mobile Food Unit Permit Application

Finance

• W-9 Form
• ACH Vendor Information

Fire Inspector's Office

• Fire Protection Application Process
• Permit fees
• Plan Review Checklist
• Pre-Inspection Checklist
• Fireworks Display Requirements
• Complaint Form

Health

• Health Permit Application - Permanent
• Health Permit Application - Temporary
• Custom Garment Fabrication License
• Natural Habitat Lot Application

Human Resources

• Employment Application

Special Events

• Special Event Permit 
• Special Event Permit Checklist

 Police

• Vacation Close Patrol Request
• Motorized Golf Cart License Plate Application
• Hurricane Registration - Business
• Hurricane Registration - Residential
• Hurricane Registration - City Employee
• Taxi Company Application
• Online Wrecker Application
• Download Wrecker Application

Public Information

• Public Information Request

Planning 

• Board of Adjustment & Appeals Application
• Subdivision Plat Application
• Plat Application
• Rezoning & Specific Use Permit
• Board of Adjustments Application 
• Development Standards Review Application 
• Padre Blvd Entertainment District Site Plan Application

Capital Improvement Plan

• CIP 2025-2029 Form Instructions
• CIP Request Form

Lost Pets

Friends of Animal Rescue (FOAR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is partnered with the City to provide important community services. FOAR operates as the South Padre Island Recovery Center and Animal Shelter and is licensed by the State of Texas as an animal shelter and quarantine facility. Animals that are not claimed within 7-10 days are fully vetted (including spay/neuter) and adopted out to loving homes.

Contact:

Address: 4908 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597

Hours: 7 days a week from 10 AM to 5 PM

Phone & 24/7 Hotline: (956) 761-1171

Email: FriendsofAnimalRescue@gmail.com

To see the latest animals found or furry friends up for adoption at FOAR, click here. For more updates and information, follow FOAR on Facebook or Instagram. 

Newsletter

Island Vibes is the official electronic newsletter for the City of South Padre Island. Stay informed on all the latest information happening on our beautiful island.

Be the first to read the latest issue! Click here to join our mailing list.

      

January

February 

Volume 130 | February 7, 2025

Volume 131 | February 14, 2025

Volume 132 | February 21, 2025

Volume 133 | February 28, 2025

February

March 

Volume 134 | March 7, 2025

Volume 135 | March 14, 2025

Volume 136 | March 21, 2025

Volume 137 | March 28, 2025

March

April

Volume 138 | April 4, 2025

Volume 139 | April 11, 2025

Volume 140 | April 18, 2025

Volume 141 | April 25, 2025

April

May 

Volume 142 | May 2, 2025

May

June

Click Here for 

2024 Island Vibes Newsletters

Yard of the Month

Each month the Parks and Keep SPI Beautiful Committee will recognize a business and/or residence who take pride in their yards and landscaping. Winners receive a sign to place in their yard and a photo on the City's website for their accomplishments.

Show someone you have noticed their hard work and nominate a yard today! Residents may nominate any yard and landscape within the city including their own.

• Nominations are accepted up to the 10th of each month.
• Each nomination received after the 10th is put on the list for the next month's award.
• Please include the address and a photo of your nomination.
• Winners will be announced at the Parks and Keep SPI Beautiful Committee meeting.

Send your nominations to:
dhuffman@myspi.org or call (956) 761-8168