Carrollton vs Richardson

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.

Can I rent my Richardson home 365 days a year on Airbnb?

Yes, the city does not cap annual rental nights. Your HOA may have its own rules, so check CC&Rs first.

Do I need a permit to operate an STR in Richardson?

Richardson does not currently require a dedicated STR permit, but you must register for Hotel Occupancy Tax with both the city and the Texas Comptroller.

Could Richardson adopt a night cap in the future?

Possibly, but any new regulation must survive Texas preemption scrutiny. Watch City Council agendas for proposed ordinance changes.