Short-term rental rules · Dallas, Texas
Short-term rentals in Dallas, explained properly.
Dallas adopted two ordinances in June 2023: a zoning change banning short-term rentals in single-family districts and a registration ordinance with occupancy, minimum-stay and other rules. A court blocked both before enforcement began, and the city says it can't enforce them while the injunction stands. The Fifth Court of Appeals upheld the injunction in July 2025, and the city asked the Texas Supreme Court to lift it in October 2025. For now, short-term rentals operate under the city's general property, noise and nuisance rules, and hosts must collect 9% city and 6% state hotel occupancy tax.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are short-term rentals allowed right now? | Yes, in practice. A temporary injunction entered December 6, 2023 bars the city from enforcing its two 2023 STR ordinances, so it enforces only its existing minimum property standards, noise and private nuisance rules[1] |
| Adopted zoning rule (not enforced) | STRs would be allowed by right only in MO(A), GO(A), multifamily, central area, mixed use, multiple commercial and urban corridor districts, which bans them in single-family districts. Properties in a Planned Development follow the underlying district[1] |
| Adopted registration rules (not enforced) | Registration with Code Compliance and fees, a property inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy, a local responsible party, no more than three people per bedroom (12 maximum), a two-night minimum stay, amplified-sound limits from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and percentage caps in multi-tenant buildings (City Code Chapter 42B)[1] |
| Court status | The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed the temporary injunction on July 18, 2025 (reversing it only as to one individual plaintiff) and dismissed the city's motion for en banc reconsideration on August 19, 2025. The city filed a petition for review in the Texas Supreme Court on October 16, 2025[2][3] |
| Texas Supreme Court decision | Not confirmed. The city asked the court to lift the injunction in time for the June 2026 World Cup; we found no decision in the sources we could read. Check before buying[4]Confirming |
| What counts as a short-term rental | A full or partial unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days or one month, whichever is less, per rental period[1] |
| Hotel occupancy tax | 15%: the City of Dallas charges 9% of net room revenue on hotels and short-term rentals, plus Texas's 6% state hotel occupancy tax. City registration for the tax is free and can be done online[5][6] |
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We read the City of Dallas Code Compliance STR page and Controller's hotel tax page in a browser, the Fifth Court of Appeals docket (TAMES) and its July 18, 2025 opinion. The Texas Supreme Court docket couldn't be searched successfully, so its decision on the city's petition is unconfirmed. Watch the Supreme Court docket and City Council agendas: if the injunction is lifted, the single-family ban and registration rules would take effect.
City Council adopted a zoning ordinance limiting STRs to multifamily, office, mixed-use, commercial and similar districts, and a registration ordinance (Chapter 42B). Enforcement was set to begin December 14, 2023 but was blocked by a temporary injunction on December 6, 2023.
The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed the temporary injunction against both ordinances (except as to one individual plaintiff).
The city filed a petition for review on October 16, 2025, asking the court to let it enforce the ban. If granted, the single-family ban and registration rules could take effect.
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This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.