Dallas County does not require short-term rentals to be primary residences. Texas counties lack the detailed residential-use zoning authority cities have, and no Texas statute imposes a statewide primary-residence STR rule. City-level rules in Dallas, Irving, and Plano vary; some are paused by litigation.
Primary-residence-only rules limit STRs to homes the operator actually lives in, banning whole-home investor STRs. Dallas County government has no such ordinance for unincorporated areas, which represent a small footprint within this densely incorporated county. TX Local Government Code Chapter 232 limits county authority to plat approval and certain subdivision standards, not residential-use zoning. The City of Dallas adopted Chapter 42B in 2023 with zoning that effectively pushed whole-home STRs toward primary residences; that ordinance was partly enjoined by a Dallas County district court in 2024. Cities like Plano and Grapevine have their own STR rules. The Texas Legislature has considered preemption bills limiting city STR authority, but none has fully passed.
Not applicable at the county level. Investor-owned STRs in unincorporated areas face no county primary-residence requirement. City violations are enforced by each municipality's code compliance staff under municipal STR ordinances.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts. Commercial vehicles over one ton rated capacity, semi-tractors, trailers ove...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto requires all residential swimming pools with water depths over 24 inches to be fully enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall, per Texas...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto generally permits wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain link, masonry, and composite fences in residential zones, but each district has specific rules. Fro...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto limits residential fence heights based on yard location. Fences in front yards are typically limited to 4 feet tall, while side and rear yard fences m...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto requires fences to be structurally sound, properly installed, and maintained in good repair. Posts must be set in concrete footings of adequate depth ...
DeSoto, TX
DeSoto discourages feeding of wildlife that creates nuisance or public health concerns. Intentional feeding of feral hogs, coyotes, raccoons, and similar wil...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how DeSoto's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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