Dallas, TX Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Texas Penal Code Chapter 42 makes disorderly conduct a state crime enforceable by Dallas police anywhere in the city, including at short-term rentals covered by Dallas Code Chapter 42B. Sec. 01(a)(5) criminalizes making unreasonable noise in a public place, or in or near a private residence that the person has no right to occupy, which covers a rental guest's party disturbing neighbors even though the short-term rental itself sits on private property. Sec. 01(c)(1) clarifies that the offense occurs wherever the noise's disruptive effects are felt, not just where the noise originates, so a neighboring homeowner or an adjoining rental guest can be the complainant.

Sec. 01(c)(2) sets an evidentiary shortcut: once a magistrate or peace officer has given notice that the noise is a public nuisance, any later noise exceeding 85 decibels is presumed unreasonable, though officers can still cite noise below that threshold if the circumstances make it unreasonable. This state charge sits alongside, and is broader than, the Dallas ordinance at Sec. ; the state offense has no time-of-day limit and reaches any unreasonable noise, amplified or not. A Sec. 01 violation is a Class C misdemeanor, fine-only, unless charged under Subsection (a)(7) or (a)(8) for firearm discharge, which raises it to a Class B misdemeanor.