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Member FAQs
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Is there a ban of STR’s in the City of Dallas?
Dallas City Council passed a zoning amendment 6/14/23 to amend “Lodging Uses” in the Dallas Development Code to define a new use called “Short Term Rental Lodging” to be permitted in lodging-only zoned areas and mixed use areas. This effectively BANS STRs in residential areas. STRs are allowed in Multi Family areas, but with heavy density restrictions.
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What is the new City STR Registration Ordinance?
Dallas City Council passed a registration ordinance 6/14/23 that covers the operations of STRs. It includes registration requirements, HOT registration, annual fee, responsible party, property inspection, occupancy limits, minimum 2 night stay, 2 strikes and other requirements.
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When will the City of Dallas start enforcing the new ordinances?
The estimated enforcement date is December 14, 2023.
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Do I need a permit to operate an STR in Dallas?
Yes, you will need to register for HOT and register with the City of Dallas to continue to operate. Enforcement begins 12/14/23.
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I am not in an allowed zone, am I grandfathered in as I was operating before the ban?
The City of Dallas specifically voted against grandfathering. If our lawsuit is unable to get the ban overturned, we hope to get existing STR operators grandfathered in. We suspect that STRs that were paying their HOT have the strongest case for being grandfathered in so keep paying your HOT!
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I am in an allowed zone, Do I need to register/How do I register?
The City of Dallas is still getting the registration process set up. They expect to have registration ready to go by December when enforcement starts.
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I STR my house where I have a homestead exemption. I either regularly rent out a room or I rent out the entire house while I go on a vacation. Is this allowed?
The City of Dallas has not announced any exceptions to the ban yet. Until we get clarification with the lawsuit, the City is not saying if this is or isn't allowed
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How do the inspections work?
As with Registration, the City of Dallas is still working on this and has not announced anything about how inspections work. Per the regulations, properties must be inspected first before their registration application can be approved. All properties must be inspected. The initial inspection fee is included in the registration fee. The City has not announced a self-certification process yet like what exists for the Single-Family Residence Rental Program.
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Should I keep paying HOT?
Unlike the zoning ban, City of Dallas requiring STR hosts to collect and pay HOT is legal. The DSTRA is not arguing against HOT collection. The penalty for not paying HOT is a substantial fine. STR hosts that have been paying their HOT are in the strongest position to be allowed to continue operating so keep paying your HOT!
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I got a letter from the City of Dallas, what should I do?
The City of Dallas recently sent out notifications alerting people they think might be affected by the zoning change. Cities are legally required to send out notifications when zoning changes may impact citizens. This is purely informational to let people know there has been a change in case they otherwise missed it. This is not a cease-and-desist letter or warning of legal proceedings.
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Will I get fined for running my STR with this new ban?
Yes. The ban carries a $2,000 fine per violation for continuing operation. Legal advises that this fine is per night that you rent your STR.
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Do STRs require special insurance?
Currently it is not required, but we recommend it. There are insurance companies that carry STR-specifc policies and some that offer it with a home policy at no additional charge.
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What is DSTRA doing about the ban?
DSTRA has retained legal council and is moving forward with a lawsuit to defend our right to continue to operate STRs.
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How do I join the DSTRA lawsuit?
Anyone can make a contribution to the DSTRA lawsuit here: Your contribution helps ensure we can fund the lawsuit and challenge the ban. If there is no lawsuit, then the ban stays in place and all STR owners lose. DSTRA will be a plaintiff in the lawsuit per our litigation team's current strategy. We are asking $500 per owned-STR and $200 per STR service, but all contributions are greatly appreciated. Remember, you can sign up to pay monthly!
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Are Airbnb and VRBO involved in the legal defense against the City of Dallas?
Airbnb and Vrbo have and continue to contribute enormously to our efforts to fairly regulate STRs in Dallas. They have assigned lobbyists to our state and city and they have publicized our events. As of this wiriting, they have not contributed to our legal fund. No one is coming to save us, this is a fight we must take up ourselves.
Legal
City Council moved to ban STRs out of residential areas!
DSTRA has selected our litigation team to move forward with legal action!Fundraising Goals:
- $150,000 estimated cost to file an injunction and pursue the case at the district court level
- $100,000 estimated additional cost if the case goes to the appellate court
- $50,000 estimated additional cost if the case goes to the Texas Supreme Court
Lawsuit
Executive Summary of Lawsuit
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Choosing the right solution to caring for your vacation home can be a big decision. With Guestworks, we make that decision easy. Guestworks runs on the same technology platform as Vacasa, a platform that has hosted more than 3 million guests across tens of thousands of vacation homes. With our proven marketing engine designed specifically for promoting and booking vacation homes, each listing is distributed across our partner channels to ensure your vacation home is seen. By partnering with Guestworks, you’re committing to the success and ease of owning a vacation home. For more information, visit vacasa.com/guestworks
Proper Insurance is the nation’s leading short-term rental insurance provider offering comprehensive coverage designed to address the unique challenges and risks of owning a vacation rental. With expertise spanning across all 50 states, Proper Insurance is excited to sponsor the Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance.
Upgrade to Proper Insurance’s commercial policy, replacing your Homeowners or Landlord policy with unmatched coverage for your property and revenue, including:
- Commercial Business Liability: This coverage addresses your most significant exposure as a vacation rental owner with $1M and $2M coverage options for commercial general liability to protect your business should a guest be injured on or off your property., injure someone else, or cause damage to another’s property.
- Building & Contents Coverage: This ensures your building(s) and contents are insured on an all-risk basis with reimbursement for replacement cost valuation, meaning you get new for old at the time of a covered loss.
- Business Revenue Protection: This protects your business revenue against unforeseen circumstances such as water or guest damage that could prevent you from renting your property.
- Custom Coverages: Additional coverages include guest-caused theft/damage, amenity liability (pools, hot tubs, bikes, kayaks, etc.), bed bugs, fleas, squatters, and more.
Proper Insurance is committed to providing Dallas short-term rental owners with a comprehensive insurance solution. Call Proper today at 888-631-6680 or submit your information online to receive a complimentary consultation and coverage comparison. This tailored session will address the specific needs of your Dallas STR property and provide you with a clear understanding of the insurance solution that best suits your business.
Partner Perks:
- New Client Free 30 minute in-depth Consultation for Coverage Comparisons, Questions & Quotes!
DFW Restorations
We have one goal, and that goal is to make your bison a reality.
Partner Perks:
- Up to 10% off installation only. You purchase the material, we install it for you. Please call (214-227-6390) for details
OR
- 15% off material installation, when DFW Restorations Enterprise purchases the material and completes the installation for you. Please call (214-227-6390)
Trash Caddies is the most affordable, reliable subscription trash valet solution for short-term rental operators.
When you sign up for Trash Caddies, you never have to worry about trash day again. We go by your properties the evening before trash day and take your bins out to the curb, then bring them back to their rightful place the next day. Gone are the days of asking guests to do household chores, and with photo confirmations on both ends, you never have to worry if the task has been handled – making for a more enjoyable experience for guests and hosts alike! There are no contracts, you can cancel anytime, and your satisfaction is guaranteed!
If you’d like more information, please reach out to us at support@trash-caddies.com or just give us a call at 737-200-2872. We look forward to hearing from you!
Partner Perks:
- Try us FREE for a month using coupon code “LINK”
- Get a $50 sign-on bonus after 90 days on the platform (just leave “$50” in the notes section at sign up)
Nail Family Partnerships is a family enterprise that invests in real estate, oil and gas, and ranch land management. The founder Al Nail has been a staunch supporter of property rights his whole life. Prior to starting his own real estate company, Al Nail began his career as an oil and land man. This exposed him to the importance of contract law and how our legal system is designed to protect a foundational right: property.
“A person’s natural right to property is fundamental to our free society,” said Al Nail. “We can’t allow the preferences of external stakeholders to supplant individual liberty. As Texans, we take pride in operating our property to the highest and best use—there is no greater arbiter of what that entails than property owners themselves.”
“It’s important for us to ensure our basic rights are influencing the laws that govern us, not the other way around.”
While their single-family residential mortgage business—AGN Capital—is their flagship company, Nail Family Partnerships has enjoyed short term rentals as an investment and is dedicated to preserving individual property rights. That is why Nail Family Partnerships has agreed to match up to $5,000 in support of Short Term Rentals in Dallas, TX.