Short-term rental permit rules in Dallas, TX — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
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.
Dallas requires all short-term rental operators to register with the city. In June 2023, City Council passed ordinances banning STRs from single-family residential neighborhoods and imposing new restrictions in multifamily zones (only buildings with 20+ units, max 5% of units). However, in December 2023, a court granted a temporary injunction blocking enforcement. The Fifth District Court of Appeals upheld the injunction in 2025, finding STR owners likely to succeed on constitutional property rights claims. The city has petitioned the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, operators must register annually and include registration numbers in all advertisements. There are approximately 3,495 STRs in Dallas. Properties must have smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and posted emergency information.
Operating without registration: fines up to $500 per day. Three or more citations may result in registration revocation. Violations include unauthorized parking, litter, excessive noise, disorderly conduct, or failure to pay HOT.
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. Property maintenance rules under Dal...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to right-...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. Amplified outdoor...
Dallas, TX
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Dallas require multiple permits through the Department of Sustainable Development and Construction: a building permit for the st...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Operation is governed by general nuisa...
Dallas, TX
Dallas adopts the 2021 International Fire Code under Dallas City Code Ch. 16 (Fire Prevention). IFC § 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how other cities in Dallas County handle permit requirements.
See how Dallas's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.