Richardson, TX Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Sec. 6-512(a) bars operating a short-term rental in Richardson without a current, valid registration certificate, and requires a separate certificate for every individual unit within a common building, regardless of ownership, if that unit is used as an STR. Certificates cannot be transferred or assigned to another person, premises, or a tenant leasing the unit for more than 30 days. Under subsection (b), applicants submit a written application to the director with a nonrefundable fee set by the Master Fee Schedule, listing every owner, operator and agent; a 24-hour local contact able to respond to complaints within one hour; a floor plan showing sleeping areas, evacuation routes, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors; a sworn compliance statement; and every listing service and listing link used to advertise the property.

The director has 30 days to approve a complete application or explain the deficiency. Subsection (d) requires the owner to update any material change within 72 hours, and subsection (e) sets certificates to expire on the last day of the calendar year they were issued, with renewal due before expiration. Because there is no property right in an STR registration, subsection (g) makes clear the city may deny or revoke a certificate at its discretion, and a revoked STR premises is ineligible for a new registration for one year.