ADU Rental Restrictions: Garland vs Irving
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Garland, TX and Irving, TX?
Garland and Irving have similar restriction levels.
Garland, TX
Dallas County
Garland's single-family zoning prohibits renting an accessory guest house as a separate household. Where an SUP authorizes a true ADU, long-term (30+ days) rental is allowed if owner-occupancy continues per SUP conditions. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated under the Garland Code of Ordinances with registration and Hotel Occupancy Tax obligations. Texas LGC Sec. 214.902 preempts rent control citywide.
View full Garland rules →Irving, TX
Dallas County
Irving ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) provided owner occupancy continues under the Special Exception condition. Short-term rentals under 30 days fall under Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 hotel occupancy tax (6% state) and Irving's local hotel occupancy tax under Tex. Tax Code Chapter 351 (commonly 7%). Irving regulates STR use through the UDC; STR operation in single-family districts can be challenged.
View full Irving rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garland | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| SF Zoning | No separate rental household | - |
| Long-Term (30+ days) | OK if SUP + owner-occupied | Permitted with owner occupancy |
| STR Threshold | <30 days | - |
| Hotel Occupancy Tax | State 6% + Garland local HOT | - |
| Rent Control | Preempted by TX LGC Sec. 214.902 | - |
| State Hotel Tax | - | 6% under TX Tax Code Ch. 156 |
| Local Hotel Tax | - | ~7% under TX Tax Code Ch. 351 |
| Single-Family Districts | - | STR use often challenged |
| Tax Remittance | - | TX Comptroller + Irving Finance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garland FAQ
Can I rent my Garland accessory structure?
Generally no in single-family zoning - the accessory structure cannot be a separate rental household. Where a Specific Use Permit has authorized a true ADU, long-term rental (30+ days) is allowed if the owner continues to occupy either unit consistent with SUP conditions.
Are there rent caps in Garland?
No, and Garland cannot adopt them. Texas Local Government Code Sec. 214.902 expressly preempts municipal rent control. The Texas Property Code Chapter 92 governs landlord-tenant relationships including notice periods, security deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures.
Irving FAQ
Can I rent my Irving ADU on Airbnb?
Possibly, but verify zoning compliance with Irving Development Services first. In R-6 and R-7.5 single-family districts, STR use of an ADU can be challenged as a non-residential transient use. Regardless of district, you must collect 6% state hotel tax and Irving's local hotel tax, register with the Texas Comptroller, and remit local tax to the City of Irving Finance Department.
Can I rent my Irving ADU long-term?
Yes, generally. Long-term rentals of 30 days or more are permitted under the UDC, provided the property owner continues to occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU as required by the Special Exception and any recorded deed restriction. Both units cannot be rented to non-owners simultaneously in R-6 / R-7.5 districts.
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