Permit Requirements: Dallas vs Fort Worth

Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Dallas?

Dallas requires STR registration. In June 2023, City Council voted to ban STRs from residential areas, but a court injunction has blocked enforcement since December 2023. Registration and existing regulations remain in effect.

What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Dallas?

Registration: Required (annual). Residential Ban: Passed 2023, injunction blocks. Court Status: TX Supreme Court petition. Total STRs: ~3,495 in city.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Fort Worth?

Yes. Fort Worth requires every short-term rental (a rental of 1 to 29 consecutive days) to be registered with the City under Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Article XIII. Initial registration is $150, annual renewal is $100, and the registration must be renewed each year. Operators must also confirm that the property's zoning allows short-term rental use, since residential districts are off-limits under the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.

Can I run an Airbnb in a Fort Worth residential neighborhood?

No. Fort Worth's Zoning Ordinance and Chapter 7, Article XIII prohibit short-term rentals in residential zoning districts (including A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, and UR). STRs are only permitted by right in mixed-use, form-based, commercial, and industrial districts. The residential ban was upheld by a Texas state district court in 2024. Operating an STR in a residential district is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000 per day.

How much does Fort Worth STR registration cost and what taxes apply?

The initial Short-Term Rental Registration fee is $150 and the annual renewal is $100. In addition, operators must collect and remit the City of Fort Worth 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax and the State of Texas 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax on every booking. Marketplace facilitators such as Airbnb may collect some of these taxes; operators are responsible for verifying coverage and remitting any uncollected portion directly.