Dallas ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) provided owner occupancy continues under Dallas Development Code Β§ 51A-4.217. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are banned in single-family residential districts under the 2023 Dallas STR ordinance (Ordinance 32463, codified in Chapter 42B), which effectively prohibits ADU short-term rental in most of the city. The ordinance survived initial legal challenges in 2024.
Long-term rental (30 days or more) of an ADU is permitted in Dallas as long as the property owner continues to occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU as required by Dallas Development Code Β§ 51A-4.217 and the recorded deed restriction. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) face severe restrictions following the City Council's June 2023 adoption of Ordinance 32463, codified as Dallas City Code Chapter 42B. The ordinance prohibits short-term rentals in all single-family residential zoning districts (R-7.5, R-10, R-16, MF-1, MF-2 etc.) where most ADUs are located, effectively banning Airbnb-style ADU rentals across most of Dallas. STRs are permitted only in mixed-use, commercial, and certain multi-family districts with a registered STR certificate ($1,000 annual fee). The Texas Court of Appeals upheld portions of the ban in 2024 against state preemption challenges; further litigation is ongoing. ADUs that received SUPs before June 2023 may have grandfather rights under specific terms. Property owners should verify their zoning district through the Sustainable Development GIS portal before listing on Airbnb/VRBO. The city actively monitors short-term rental platforms and issues citations.
Operating an unregistered or zoning-prohibited STR carries fines up to $500 per day under Texas Local Government Code Β§ 54.001 and is a Class C misdemeanor. Dallas's STR Enforcement Team actively monitors Airbnb/VRBO listings. The 2023 ordinance includes platform-cooperation provisions.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how other cities in Dallas County handle adu rental restrictions.
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