Laws For Short-Term Rentals in Austin & Dallas, Texas USA (2023)
Hosts are obligated to collect hotel occupancy taxes from guests and remit these to the City monthly. Detailed information is available on the Dallas Short Term Rentals page.
Eligibility Check: Dallas categorizes any building offering sleeping accommodations to the public as a “hotel,” allowing hosts to list properties they don’t reside in. For further clarification, hosts can refer to the FAQ page.
Obtaining a Registration Number: Hosts can apply for property registration through the provided link. The City will confirm via email upon approval. Additionally, hosts must register with the Texas State Comptroller for state hotel occupancy tax.
Pending City Council Regulations: The Dallas City Council is contemplating regulations for short-term rentals in residential zones. Updates on these potential changes can be tracked through the Office of Planning and Urban Design.
Adding Registration Number to Listing: To complete the registration process, hosts must add their license number to their listing. This finalizes the city registration, allowing them to continue hosting.
Registration Requirement: In Dallas, hosts must register their homes with the City for short-term rentals, defined as properties rented for less than 30 nights.
Licensing Requirement: Hosts in Austin must acquire an operating license for short-term rentals (under 30 nights). Property owners should apply for this license themselves or provide a notarized authorization for third-party agents. More details on short-term rental licenses in Austin are available on the city’s website.
Eligibility Check: Austin categorizes short-term rentals into three types, each with specific regulations and licensing requirements:
- Type 1: Owner-occupied single-family homes, multi-family units, or duplexes.
- Type 2: Non-owner-occupied single-family homes, multi-family units, or duplexes, with a restriction on proximity to other Type 2 rentals.
- Type 3: Part of a multi-family property (condo, apartment, etc.), regardless of owner occupancy, with specific caps and documentation required.
Ownership details on the application must align with records at the Travis or Williamson County Clerk’s office. For more information, visit the Types of Short Term Rentals page.
Obtaining a Registration Number: Owners can apply for a short-term rental license online. Additionally, hosts must register with the City of Austin Department of Finance and the Texas State Comptroller for hotel occupancy taxes.
Registrations must be renewed yearly before September 30th, the end of the city’s fiscal year. The city will notify hosts when the renewal period opens. (Dallas)
Annual renewal of your license is required, with a fee. Licenses expire one year from the issue date. (Austin)
Hosts must also adhere to other binding agreements, such as leases, co-op, HOA rules, or tenant organization regulations. Information can be obtained from community councils, landlords, or directly from the contracts.
