Fort Worth, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Fort Worth imposes a 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on the cost of any room or sleeping space rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The 9% local rate consists of a 7% city hotel occupancy tax plus a 2% special hotel occupancy tax dedicated to the venue district. This applies to all short-term rentals, including those operated through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. The Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6% (Texas Tax Code Chapter 156) is collected separately by the Texas Comptroller. On February 14, 2023, Fort Worth City Council adopted Ordinance 26005-02-2023, which created Article XIII of Chapter 7 (Buildings) requiring STR registration. The initial registration fee is $150, with a $100 annual renewal fee. Registration is required for STRs operating in permitted zoning districts (Multifamily, Mixed-Use, and Commercial zones). STRs are prohibited in single-family residential ('A' and 'R') and two-family ('B') zoning districts, a ban upheld by a Tarrant County district court in March 2025. Operators must collect HOT from guests, file monthly reports with the city, and remit the tax to the Finance Department. Some platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) collect and remit state HOT automatically but local 9% city HOT is generally the operator's responsibility unless a specific platform agreement applies. Failure to register or remit HOT can result in administrative penalties, civil action, and revocation of the STR registration.