Permit Requirements: Fort Worth vs Keller
How do permit requirements rules compare between Fort Worth, TX and Keller, TX?
Fort Worth and Keller have similar restriction levels.
Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth requires every short-term rental to be registered with the City under Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Article XIII (Short-Term Rental Registration), adopted February 14, 2023. Initial registration is $150 with a $100 annual renewal. STRs are prohibited in residential zoning districts and only permitted in mixed-use, form-based, commercial, and industrial zones. Operating in a residential zone is a citable Class C misdemeanor.
View full Fort Worth rules →Keller, TX
Tarrant County
Keller has no dedicated STR registration program, and STRs are not a listed permitted use in residential UDC zones. Most Keller HOA covenants also prohibit rentals under 30 days.
View full Keller rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Worth | Keller |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Fort Worth Code Ch. 7, Article XIII (Ord. No. 26005-02-2023) | - |
| Initial Registration Fee | $150 | - |
| Annual Renewal Fee | $100 | - |
| Definition | Residential rental of 1 to 29 consecutive days | - |
| Residential Zoning | STRs prohibited in A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, UR districts | - |
| Allowed Zoning | Mixed-use, form-based, commercial, and industrial districts only | - |
| Hotel Occupancy Tax | 9% city + 6% state on every booking | - |
| Penalties | Class C misdemeanor; up to $2,000/day for health/safety/zoning | - |
| Registration Program | - | None currently |
| STR Zoning Status | - | Not a listed permitted use |
| HOA Restrictions | - | Common in Keller subdivisions |
| Enforcement | - | Complaint-driven |
| Long-Term Rentals | - | 30+ days allowed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Worth FAQ
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.
Keller FAQ
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Keller?
In most Keller neighborhoods the answer is no, both because STRs are not listed as a permitted use in residential zones and because most HOA CCRs prohibit rentals under 30 days. Check with Community Development and review your HOA documents before listing.
Are 30-day rentals treated differently?
Yes. Monthly or longer residential leases are treated as standard residential use and are allowed in all residential zones subject to HOA rules.
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