Arlington vs Fort Worth
How do host presence rule rules compare between Arlington, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Arlington has fewer restrictions than Fort Worth.
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington does not require the property owner or operator to be physically present during a short-term rental stay, allowing fully unhosted whole-home rentals so long as the local STR permit, occupancy caps, and 24-hour responsible-party contact requirements are satisfied.
View full Arlington rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth's 2023 short-term rental ordinance requires registration and operating standards but does not impose a hosted-only presence rule. Operators need not stay on-site during stays; instead the ordinance limits STRs through zoning and primary-residence framing.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Host onsite required | No | - |
| Whole-home allowed | Yes | - |
| Responsible-party response | 60 minutes | - |
| State preemption | TX HB 1620 | - |
| Ordinance | - | Fort Worth STR Ord. (2023) |
| Hosted-only rule | - | Not imposed |
| Registration | - | Required citywide |
| Local contact | - | 24-hour responsible party |
| Hotel occupancy tax | - | Required remittance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Can I rent out my entire Arlington house while I am away?
Yes. Arlington allows unhosted whole-home short-term rentals once you obtain the city STR permit and designate a 24-hour responsible local contact.
Does TX HB 1620 affect Arlington STR rules?
Yes. The 2025 statewide preemption blocks cities from banning unhosted STRs and limits how Arlington can restrict whole-home rentals near AT&T Stadium.
Fort Worth FAQ
Must a Fort Worth STR host stay on-site during guest stays?
No. The Fort Worth ordinance does not mandate physical host presence during a booking. Operators must instead register, designate a 24-hour local contact, meet life-safety rules, and comply with zoning and occupancy caps.
Who do guests or neighbors call for STR problems?
Operators must designate a 24-hour local responsible-party contact whose phone number is posted with the listing and provided to adjacent neighbors. Neighbors can also call MyFW or 311 to report violations to Code Compliance.
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