Dallas, TX Short-Term Rental Checklist (Free, Printable)

📋 The Basics

Can I rent my place short-term here?: Yes, with a permit
Do I need a permit?: Not right now. The City STR registration law is blocked by a court order, but you must register for and pay hotel tax.
What taxes do I pay?: Total about 15%. Check your Airbnb payout report to see which ones Airbnb collects; you pay the rest yourself.

Your 3 steps to be legal

Contact the HOT team for an account number.
Register in MUNIRevs and file 9% (verify) HOT monthly.
Follow noise and zoning rules; no party use.

⚠️ Biggest risk: Rules could return if the injunction is lifted.

Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.

This is the general rule for Dallas. Does your address qualify?

The free info covers the city as a whole. Your property can still be different: zoning can change from one street to the next, and an HOA or condo ban can stop rentals even where the city allows them.

Your $49 Compliance Check looks at your exact property:

Whether your exact address and zone allow short-term rentals
A check of HOA / condo rental restrictions to look for
Which permits and tax accounts you personally need
What you're missing right now
A personal report with clear next steps and official sources, by email
A refund if we report a rule in error (refund policy)

🔎 How we check: official city, county and state sources, a last-verified date on every page, and nothing guessed. Learn more

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Permit / license / registration

STR ordinance: Chapter 42B STR registration and the 2023 zoning limits are under a court temporary injunction and not currently enforceable (City, May 2026).
HOT registration: Every STR operator must still register with the City HOT team and file and pay 9% HOT monthly, even with zero revenue.
Other rules: Minimum property standards, noise, special events and zoning rules still apply; party-house/event use of residential property is not allowed.
Watch: If the injunction is lifted, STRs may be limited to certain zoning districts. Verify before buying.

Zoning, where allowed & definitions

Not listed on our page: Verify with the city/county before renting.

Night limits, minimum stays & occupancy

Not listed on our page: Verify with the city/county before renting.

Fees, penalties & pending changes

Not listed on our page: Verify with the city/county before renting.

Taxes & who collects them

Register / account for Texas state hotel occupancy tax (6%)
Register / account for City of Dallas HOT (9%)
What Airbnb collects: Verify in your payouts whether Airbnb remits Dallas city HOT; the City still expects you to register and file monthly.
Vrbo and direct bookings: check which taxes Vrbo collects in your area; for direct bookings you collect and remit all of them yourself.

Total rate: 15%. 15% total (6% state + 9% city HOT). Verify any county or special district levy with the City Controller. Calculate.

HOA / condo check

Read your declaration, bylaws and rules for rental bans, minimum terms, caps and approval requirements.
Get any association sign-off or approval letter your city or association requires.
See our HOA & condo guide.

Insurance

Confirm your homeowner/condo policy covers short-term rental use, or add a short-term rental policy. Platform host protection is not a substitute for insurance.
Ask your association whether it requires specific liability coverage.

Deadlines

Renew city/county permits or registrations on their schedule (often annually): confirm the date with the office that issued it.
File state and local lodging tax returns on the schedule your tax office assigns.

Official sources

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Is my Dallas rental legal? Checklist