Garland's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Garland, Texas, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Garland bans renting, leasing, or licensing any single-family home as a short-term rental without a permit issued under City Code § 32.09. The single-family rental permit application demands liability insurance, a floor plan, and a full property inspection, and the annual fee runs a minimum of $500 for STR use.

Key details: Permit required: single-family rental permit under § 32.09. Minimum annual fee: $500 for STR use. Liability insurance: $250,000/person, $1,000,000/event minimum. Pre-issuance step: full inspection each change in tenancy. Permit term: one year, non-transferable.

Operating a short-term rental without a valid single-family permit is a criminal offense under § 26.67(A), and § 32.09(A) makes it a separate offense for every day a tenant occupies the dwelling once the City knows no permit exists or that one has been revoked. Submitting a false or fraudulent permit application is also unlawful under § 32.09(A), and a permit obtained through a material false statement is subject to suspension under § 32.09(E).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Garland actively enforces its short-term rental permits requirements.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Garland can suspend a short-term rental permit once City officials respond to the same address more than three times in 12 months for prohibited conduct like noise, fireworks, or underage drinking. § 32.09(K)(1)(d) sets the trigger, and repeat violations can lead to revocation of the permit for up to 24 months.

Key details: Suspension trigger: 3+ calls for prohibited conduct in 12 months. Standard applied: probable cause required to suspend. Occupancy cap (agreement): 10 people or 2 per bedroom. Quiet hours (agreement): 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.. Revocation: up to 24 months after hearing.

A responsible party, meaning the owner, host, or anyone who organizes an event at the rental, commits an offense under § 26.67(C) for any prohibited conduct by a guest, patron, or invitee. Guests themselves are liable under § 26.67(D). Three or more calls for the same conduct within 12 months triggers suspension under § 32.09(K)(1)(d), and three or more resulting convictions after a compliance agreement triggers revocation for up to 24 months under § 32.09(M)(5).

Compared to other cities, Garland takes a harder line on repeat violator strikes. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Garland STR guests must park in the driveway or garage; on-street parking is allowed but front-yard and blocked-sidewalk parking are prohibited under city code.

Key details: Front-yard Unimproved-surface Parking: Front-yard and unimproved-surface parking prohibited. On-street Parking Unless: On-street parking allowed unless signed otherwise. Hydrant Clearance: Hydrant clearance: 15 feet minimum. Rvs/trailers Cannot Be: RVs/trailers cannot be stored in front yards. Hoas Firewheel Often: HOAs in Firewheel often add stricter rules.

The rules around short-term rental parking rules in Garland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Taxes & Fees

Garland short-term rentals must collect a 7% city Hotel Occupancy Tax and the 6% Texas state HOT on stays under 30 days, totaling 13% on each booking.

Key details: Garland city HOT:: Garland city HOT: 7% of room rate. Texas State HOT:: Texas state HOT: 6% of room rate. Combined Rate: 13%: Combined rate: 13% on rentals under 30 days. Register with Garland: Register with Garland Finance and Texas Comptroller. Airbnb/Vrbo Handle State: Airbnb/Vrbo handle state HOT but city HOT collection varies.

Occupancy Limits

Short-term rentals in Garland follow the city's general residential occupancy standards, typically limiting overnight guests to 2 per bedroom plus 2, with no large-event use permitted.

Key details: Standards: Standard guideline: 2 per bedroom plus 2 overnight. Limits: No dedicated STR occupancy cap in city code yet. Permit Required: Large gatherings (>25 guests) need special-event permit. Limits: HOAs in Firewheel/Camelot may impose stricter limits. Penalties: Repeat nuisance violations can trigger registration revocation if applicable.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on occupancy limits.

Night Caps

Garland does not impose a city-wide cap on the number of nights a short-term rental can operate per year; HOA rules and zoning are the main constraints.

Key details: Hours/Times: No city-imposed annual night cap in Garland. Hours/Times: Single-family zoning may limit hotel-style operations. Hours/Times: HOA rules in Firewheel/Bradfield/Camelot often prohibit STRs. Fees/Costs: Hotel Occupancy Tax owed regardless of operating frequency. Penalties: Persistent nuisance can trigger zoning enforcement.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://www.garlandtx.gov/166/Planning) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Garland is more permissive than most cities when it comes to night caps. That said, there are still limits.

Noise Rules

Garland STRs must comply with the citywide noise ordinance: no plainly-audible amplified sound at 50 feet after 10 PM, with fines up to $500 per violation.

Key details: Hours: Plainly-audible-at-50-feet rule applies 10 PM - 7 AM. Fee: Fines up to $500 per offense for guest. Detail: Garland Police: (972) 485-4840 for after-hours complaints. Detail: Repeat violations risk nuisance abatement. Detail: Decibel monitors and no-party clauses recommended.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://www.garlandtx.gov/167/Police) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Garland is more permissive than most cities when it comes to noise rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Garland gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 4 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Garland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.