Night Caps: Carrollton vs Grand Prairie

Is there a maximum number of nights I can short-term rent in unincorporated Dallas County?

No. Dallas County has not adopted a night cap, and Texas counties generally lack authority to impose one. However, the property must sit in unincorporated territory — if any city has annexed the parcel, that city's STR rules (including possible caps) apply.

Do I still have to pay hotel occupancy tax on an unincorporated Dallas County STR?

Yes. The 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax under Tax Code Chapter 156 applies to any stay under 30 consecutive days, regardless of whether the county imposes its own rules. You must register with the Texas Comptroller and remit monthly or quarterly.

How do I know if my property is in unincorporated Dallas County or inside a city?

Check the Dallas Central Appraisal District parcel lookup, which lists the taxing jurisdictions. If a city name appears as a taxing entity for the parcel, the property is inside that city and its STR rules (not county rules) apply.

Does Grand Prairie limit how many nights per year I can rent out my STR?

No. Chapter 29, Article IX does not impose an annual night cap. Operators may book continuously throughout the permit year so long as occupancy, tax, and operating standards are met.

Is there a minimum stay length for Grand Prairie short-term rentals?

No, single-night bookings are allowed. The ordinance defines an STR as any lease of 1 to 30 consecutive days, so the minimum is one night and the maximum stay before the use exits STR regulation is 30 days.

What turns a short-term rental into a long-term rental?

A guest stay of 31 or more consecutive days. At that point the lease is no longer covered by the STR permit and falls under standard residential landlord-tenant rules.