Dallas Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | Not required |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — 29 days or fewer per stay |
| Tax Rate | 15% |
| Max Penalty | $500 per violation |
| Insurance | $500,000 liability required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Dallas does not require a specific STR permit at this time. Check with local government for any zoning or business license requirements.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% | State of Texas |
| Dallas City Hotel Occupancy Tax | 9% | City of Dallas |
Combined rate: 15% of gross rental income.
Filing: monthly or quarterly
Rental Limits
Dallas does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 29 days or fewer per stay.
Zoning & Restrictions
Check with local government
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Operators must maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
$50 penalty plus 5% if 1–30 days late, 10% if over 30 days late; interest accrues beginning 61 days after due date
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Dallas:
- Obtain liability insurance. $500,000 minimum.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Texas Comptroller.
- Collect and remit taxes. 15% on all bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Dallas?
- Dallas does not require a dedicated short-term rental permit, but you must still register for and remit applicable lodging taxes. Confirm local zoning rules still allow short-term rentals at your property before listing.
- Does Dallas require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Dallas does not impose a primary-residence requirement, so non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Dallas?
- Dallas does not cap the total number of nights per year, but each individual stay must be 29 days or fewer.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Dallas?
- Short-term rental stays in Dallas are subject to a combined 15% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax + 9% Dallas City Hotel Occupancy Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.
Official Sources
- Short-Term Rentals - Code Compliance Department
- Chapter 42B Short-Term Rentals - Dallas Code of Ordinances
- Hotel Occupancy Tax - Texas Comptroller
- Hotel Occupancy Tax - Dallas City Controller
- Chapter 42B STR Registration Fee - Dallas Code of Ordinances
- Chapter 42B STR Penalties - Dallas Code of Ordinances
- Chapter 42B STR Insurance Requirements - Dallas Code of Ordinances