Fort Worth Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-07-04
TL;DR
Fort Worth requires Short-Term Rental Registration ($150) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 17%. No annual day limit, but each stay must be 29 consecutive days or fewer.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Registration ($150)
Primary Residence ✗ Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit — 29 consecutive days or fewer
Tax Rate 17%
Max Penalty $2,000 per violation
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Registration

FeeAmount
Initial cost$150
Renewal$100 / 1 year

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owner must register the property with the City via the LocalGov portal before it is listed for use, including a designated local responsible party, submitting a Zoning Confirmation showing a passing ("success") result, and registering to collect Hotel Occupancy Tax; registration must be renewed annually.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax 6% Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax 9% City of Fort Worth
City of Fort Worth Venue Hotel Occupancy Tax 2% City of Fort Worth

Combined rate: 17% of gross rental income.

Collection: Online via the LocalGov portal (tax.localgov.org)

Filing: Monthly

Rental Limits

Fort Worth does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 29 consecutive days or fewer.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Maximum of 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; no more than 12 persons total may occupy the short-term rental at any one time

Zoning & Restrictions

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Fort Worth does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violation of the STR registration ordinance is a misdemeanor; each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Fort Worth:

  1. Apply for Short-Term Rental Registration. Submit application + $150 fee.
  2. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Fort Worth Central Revenue Office.
  3. Collect and remit taxes. 17% on all bookings.
  4. Renew annually. $100 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Fort Worth?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Fort Worth requires a Short-Term Rental Registration.
Are there major restrictions on short-term rentals in Fort Worth?
Yes — Short-term rentals are not allowed in residential districts (A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, UR). Review the full rules above before listing.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Fort Worth?
A Short-Term Rental Registration in Fort Worth costs $150 per year. Renewal is $100 per year.
Does Fort Worth require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Fort Worth allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth does not cap the total number of nights per year, but each individual stay must be 29 consecutive days or fewer.
What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Fort Worth?
Short-term rental stays in Fort Worth are subject to a combined 17% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax + 9% City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax + 2% City of Fort Worth Venue Hotel Occupancy Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Fort Worth?
Penalties run up to $2,000.

Official Sources

  1. Ordinance No. 26005-02-2023 — Amending Chapter 7, "Buildings", by Adding Article XIII, "Registration of Short-Term Rentals"
  2. Fort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances — Chapter 32, Article II: Hotel Occupancy Tax
  3. Fort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances — Chapter 32, Article III: Venue Hotel Occupancy Tax
  4. Short-Term Rentals (STR) – Welcome to the City of Fort Worth
  5. Hotel Occupancy Tax — Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts