Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Dallas vs Fort Worth
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Dallas, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Dallas and Fort Worth have similar restriction levels.
Dallas, TX
Dallas County
Dallas Chapter 42B (2023) restricts short-term rentals to multifamily and mixed-use zoning districts and frames lawful single-family STRs as accessory to a primary residence. A 2024 Dallas County district-court injunction paused the residential-zone prohibition while the legal challenge proceeds.
View full Dallas rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth's 2023 short-term rental ordinance restricts STRs to multifamily and mixed-use zoning districts, effectively pushing whole-home rentals toward owner-occupied primary residences. Single-family STRs face zoning limits as the city tightens enforcement against unregistered operators.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dallas | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance | Dallas Ch. 42B (June 2023) | Fort Worth STR Ord. (2023) |
| Zoning rule | Multifamily and mixed-use only | Multifamily and mixed-use only |
| Court order | May 2024 injunction halts ban | - |
| Status | City appeal pending | - |
| Registration | Still required citywide | Required citywide |
| Single-family STR | - | Restricted under ordinance |
| Tax remittance | - | State and city HOT |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dallas FAQ
Can I run a single-family-home STR in Dallas right now?
Yes, currently. A May 2024 district-court injunction blocks Dallas from enforcing the residential-zone STR ban while the appeal is pending. Registration, occupancy, and safety rules still apply.
Is Chapter 42B a strict primary-residence-only rule?
Not literally. It restricts STRs by zone rather than by primary residency, but functionally pushes whole-home use toward owner-occupied homes. Enforcement is paused by court order pending appeal.
Fort Worth FAQ
Can I run a single-family-home STR in Fort Worth?
Generally no for new operators. The 2023 ordinance restricts STRs in single-family residential zones and limits them to multifamily and mixed-use districts. Limited grandfathering may apply to long-running registered operators; check with Development Services.
Is a primary-residence requirement strictly enforced?
Fort Worth uses zoning rather than a literal primary-residence rule, but the effect functionally favors owner-occupied homes. Operators must register, post the registration number on listings, and remit hotel occupancy taxes regardless of zone.
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