Fort Worth adopted a short-term rental ordinance in 2023 requiring all STRs to register with the city, collect Hotel Occupancy Tax, and limit most whole-home rentals to specific zoning districts.
Fort Worth City Council passed a comprehensive short-term rental ordinance in February 2023 after years of debate. The rules, codified primarily in Chapter 7 of the Zoning Ordinance, require every short-term rental operator to register with the city, designate a 24/7 local contact, carry liability insurance, and collect the 9% city Hotel Occupancy Tax plus the 6% state HOT under Texas Tax Code Chapter 351. Crucially, the ordinance restricts non-owner-occupied whole-home STRs in most single-family residential zoning districts (A-5, A-7.5, A-10, etc.), confining them largely to mixed-use, multifamily, and commercial zones. Owner-occupied room rentals in residential zones are allowed with registration. The city faced lawsuits from STR operators challenging the zoning restrictions; enforcement has proceeded through the Development Services Department. Operators must post the registration number on every listing (Airbnb, Vrbo).
Operating an unregistered STR or one in a prohibited zone carries fines of up to $500 per day for each day of violation, plus back taxes and penalties on uncollected HOT. The city can pursue injunctive relief to shut down non-compliant operations.
Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth, TX
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Tarrant County.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle registration rules.
See how Fort Worth's registration rules rules stack up against other locations.
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