ADU Rental Restrictions: Arlington vs Fort Worth
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Arlington, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth has fewer restrictions than Arlington.
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) provided owner occupancy continues under the typical SUP condition. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are heavily restricted under Arlington City Code Chapter 7.5 (the 2019 STR ordinance), with single-family districts limited to one designated STR per block face and registration required. ADUs operated as STRs face strict registration, parking, and notification rules.
View full Arlington rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth allows long-term rental of an ADU (30+ days) but only when the primary dwelling is owner-occupied (Zoning Ord. Sec. 5.300). Short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted under Fort Worth Code Ch. 7 (Short-Term Rentals), which requires registration, occupancy limits, and excludes most residential districts.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term (30+ days) | Permitted with owner occupancy | - |
| STR Code | Arlington City Code Ch. 7.5 | - |
| STR Registration Fee | $350 annual | - |
| Block Face Limit | 1 STR per block face (R districts) | - |
| Hotel Tax | 9% on stays < 30 days | - |
| Code Section | - | Zoning Ord. Sec. 5.300; City Code Ch. 7 Art. XVI |
| Long-Term Rental | - | Allowed if owner occupies one unit |
| Short-Term Rental in SF Districts | - | Prohibited |
| STR Tax Rate | - | 9% city + 6% state HOT |
| STR Occupancy Limit | - | 2 per bedroom + 2 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Can I rent my ADU on Airbnb in Arlington?
Only if the property's Specific Use Permit specifically authorizes ADU short-term rental and you register under Arlington City Code Chapter 7.5. Most R-1, R-2, R-3 single-family districts limit STRs to one per block face. Hotel tax of 9% applies.
Can I rent my ADU long-term in Arlington?
Yes. Long-term rentals (30+ days) are permitted under UDC Article 4, provided the property owner continues to occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU as required by the SUP and recorded deed restriction.
Fort Worth FAQ
Can I rent my Fort Worth ADU on Airbnb?
Almost certainly no. Fort Worth City Code Chapter 7 Article XVI prohibits short-term rentals in single-family residential districts (A-5, A-7.5, A-10, A-21), which cover most of the city's neighborhoods. STRs are allowed only in specific mixed-use and commercial zones, and all STRs require annual registration with the city.
Can I rent my Fort Worth ADU to a long-term tenant?
Yes for tenancies of 30 days or longer, as long as either the primary house or the ADU is owner-occupied per Zoning Ord. Sec. 5.300. The ADU can be used as a separate rental unit; both cannot be rented to non-owners simultaneously.
What taxes apply to a Fort Worth STR?
9% Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax plus 6% Texas state HOT (Tax Code Ch. 156) - 15% total. STRs must register annually, collect and remit tax, and follow occupancy and life-safety standards under City Code Ch. 7 Article XVI.
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