Denton ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) under the Denton Development Code without owner-occupancy on the first by-right unit. Short-term rentals (24 hours to 29 days) require STR Registration with the City of Denton ($100 annually). Effective January 1, 2025, amended STR rules impose additional requirements in residential and multifamily zones, with a citywide cap of 1,000 STR certificates per calendar year.
Long-term rental (30 days or more) of an ADU is permitted in Denton under the Denton Development Code without owner-occupancy restrictions on the first by-right ADU. Short-term rentals are regulated separately under the city's STR program administered by Development Services. A 'short-term rental' is defined as the rental of an entire dwelling unit or bedroom for monetary consideration for a period of not less than 24 hours and not more than 29 consecutive days, excluding bed and breakfasts, boarding/rooming houses, hotels, and motels. STR Registration costs $100 and is valid for one calendar year. On October 22, 2024, Denton City Council approved amendments to the Denton Development Code effective January 1, 2025 that place additional requirements on STRs in residential zoning districts and multifamily developments. A citywide cap of 1,000 STR certificates per calendar year is enforced. STRs are permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential uses, including single-family residential, multifamily, and mixed-use commercial. Operators must register via the City of Denton STR Permit System, maintain a local responsible party, satisfy life-safety requirements, and remit Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) at 6% state under Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 plus 7% local under Chapter 351 for stays under 30 days. Properties near the University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Woman's University (TWU) face heightened neighborhood scrutiny.
Operating an unregistered STR is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 per day under Texas Local Government Code § 54.001. Failure to remit Hotel Occupancy Tax can trigger Texas Comptroller audit and penalties. Denton uses listing-monitoring services to detect unregistered STRs on Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms.
Denton, TX
Denton Code Sec. 6-9 prohibits any animal from creating noise that interferes with neighbors' reasonable enjoyment of their property. Residents within 300 fe...
Denton, TX
Denton Sec. 17-20 uses a reasonableness standard rather than fixed decibel limits for most noise sources. The one specific numeric limit is 70 dBA at the eve...
Denton, TX
Denton Code Ch. 17, Art. II (Sec. 17-20) prohibits noise of such character, intensity, and duration as to substantially interfere with comfortable enjoyment ...
Denton, TX
Denton DDC Sec. 7.12 requires RVs and boats stored behind the front building line on paved surfaces. Occupancy prohibited. 72-hr temp driveway use.
Denton, TX
Denton restricts vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR in residential zones. One light commercial vehicle allowed behind front building line on paved surface.
Denton, TX
Denton has no citywide overnight street parking ban. The 72-hour limit and residential permit zones near UNT/TWU are the primary restrictions.
See how Denton's adu rental restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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