Tarrant County, TX Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fort Worth Formula
- 2 per bedroom plus 2, max 12
- Arlington Formula
- 2 per bedroom plus 2, max 12
- Grapevine Cap
- 10 guests total
- Under 3
- Usually not counted
- Events
- Banned in Fort Worth and Arlington
Summary
Tarrant County cities cap STR occupancy at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 guests. Fort Worth and Arlington use 2-per-bedroom plus 2 with a 12-person total cap. Grapevine caps at 10 guests regardless of bedrooms.
Sec. 92.010. OCCUPANCY LIMITS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum number of adults that a landlord may allow to occupy a dwelling is three times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling. (b) A landlord may allow an occupancy rate of more than three adult tenants per bedroom: (1) to the extent that the landlord is required by a state or federal fair housing law to allow a higher occupancy rate; or (2) if an adult whose occupancy causes a violation of Subsection (a) is seeking temporary sanctuary from family violence, as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, for a period that does not exceed one month.
Full Breakdown
STR occupancy limits in Tarrant County are set by individual cities. Fort Worth STR Ordinance (City Code Chapter 7, Article IV) sets maximum occupancy at 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, with an absolute cap of 12 occupants regardless of bedroom count. Arlington Ordinance 21-037 uses the same 2-per-bedroom-plus-2 formula with a 12-person cap. Grapevine imposes a firm 10-person maximum per STR. Keller and Southlake cap occupancy at 2 per bedroom. Mansfield uses 2 per bedroom plus 2. Haltom City applies general residential occupancy rules.
Children under 3 typically do not count toward the cap. Occupancy limits are tied to the number of legal bedrooms (rooms with proper egress windows, closet, and minimum 70 square feet under IRC 2021 as adopted by Texas cities). Converted garages, attics, and living rooms do not count as bedrooms. Daytime guests for events (such as parties or gatherings) are generally prohibited or strictly capped at the overnight occupancy number. STR events, weddings, and parties are banned in Fort Worth and Arlington.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding occupancy limits is a Class C misdemeanor in Fort Worth with fines up to 2,000 dollars per day. Arlington treats it as a code violation with 500 to 2,000 dollar fines and can revoke STR permits for repeated over-occupancy. Parties at STRs can result in immediate permit suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can stay at a short-term rental in Tarrant County?
Can I host a party at a short-term rental in Fort Worth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tarrant County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tarrant County to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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