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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. DSTRA and the City of Dallas are in litigation. STRs can continue to operate under an injunction issued in December 2023.
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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. DSTRA and the City of Dallas are in litigation. STRs can continue to operate under an injunction issued in December 2023.
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When will the City of Dallas start enforcing the new ordinances?
The estimated enforcement date is December 14, 2023. DSTRA and the City of Dallas are in litigation. STRs can continue to operate under an injunction issued in December 2023.
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Do I need a permit to operate an STR in Dallas?
Yes, you will need to register for HOT. DSTRA and the City of Dallas are in litigation. STRs can continue to operate under an injunction issued in December 2023.
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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 and the City of Dallas are in litigation. STRs can continue to operate under an injunction issued in December 2023.
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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
Experience the difference of “Elite.” OwnerRez is internationally recognized as a leader in the vacation rental industry for channel management, CRM, PM, accounting, messaging, and websites. Integrate with all major vacation rental channels to seamlessly sync availability, rates, rules, and listing content. Get your own modern fast website, process payments directly, manage inquiries, communication, and guest checkout with e-sign renter agreements.
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!
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)
Dallas-based Laundry Now provides best-in-class laundry pick-up and delivery service every day of the week. They have optimized their operations for the hospitality industry and already handle thousands of pounds of laundry every week for the short-term rental industry in Dallas. Laundry Now offers very affordable prices for the industry (under $1 per pound) and has pledged to donate 2 cents per pound, up to $10,000 per customer to DSTRA’s legal fund! Check them out here: www.laundrynow.io or call 469 504 9170
About Sparkly Maids
At Sparkly Maids (www.sparklymaids.com), a Dallas-Fort Worth-based company, we proudly serve the entire DFW area and surrounding suburbs, delivering high-quality cleaning services for short-term rentals, corporate housing, and camping cabins. Since meeting our first STR customer in September 2019, we’ve refined our services based on client feedback, ensuring they meet the unique needs of hosts. Our services are scalable, allowing us to grow without compromising quality.
We’ve completed over 6,500 turnovers with a 99% success rate, ensuring properties are always guest-ready. Operating 363 days a year, with a 100% show rate, we integrate our cleaning services with property management software (PMS) to automate scheduling and simplify operations for hosts.
As the owner of multiple short-term rentals, a property manager, and the founder of Sparkly Maids, I know firsthand the challenges of managing a successful rental property. My experience has helped shape our services to address the real needs of property owners, continuously improving to best serve hosts across the DFW area.
Optional Management Services
In addition to cleaning, we offer:
- Guest communication
- Dynamic pricing optimization
- Property maintenance scheduling
Special Offer for Dallas STRA Members
Sign up for any cleaning service and receive a $300 credit toward deep cleaning during onboarding. We also provide:
- Free phone consultation
- Automation assistance
- Onboarding support with our Field Ops Manager
You can learn more about our services here.
www.sparklymaids.com
Phone: (214) 903-0014
Turno, Cleaning Solved
Turno helps vacation rental hosts and property management companies simplify and automate recurring property services like cleaning. With separate mobile apps for hosts and cleaners, Turno syncs guest calendars from all major booking platforms and 40+ channel managers and property management systems. Unique in the industry, Turno’s localized, vetted Cleaner Marketplace includes 55K+ STR cleaners across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and beyond. Offering 24/7 live customer support and available in six languages, features include automatic scheduling, automatic payments, in-app chat, and robust tools to improve efficiencies and ensure quality cleans every time. By seamlessly connecting short-term rental hosts and cleaners, Turno ensures that every property turnover is efficient, reliable, and aligned with the highest standards of quality. For more, visit www.turno.com.
Hospitable gifts hosts their time back. Their easy-to-use, AI-powered software helps property owners, self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers save time, grow their revenue, and protect their properties and businesses.Simple at one door. Simple at one hundred. Hospitable provides tools and tips to take the hassle out of short-term rental hosting. Save time with automation for Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Agoda, and direct booking websites.
You’ll join the fastest-growing segment on the platform – There are now more than 8.1 million Booking.com vacation rental listings globally (and that number is growing every day).
You’ll get booked within days – 45% of new vacation rentals get their first booking within a week.
You’ll be marketed front and center on the website and the app – And the app is one of the most downloaded travel apps globally, according to Statista in 2024.
Lodgify helps you simplify your rental operations and boost direct bookings — whether you’re hosting a modern loft in Deep Ellum, a chic condo in Uptown Dallas, or a family-friendly retreat near White Rock Lake.
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- Build your own booking website — no tech skills needed
- Sync calendars and rates across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com
- Automate task management, guest messages, payments, and reviews
- Enjoy personalized onboarding with real humans guiding you every step
Hosts using professional PMS tools like Lodgify see up to 40% higher occupancy thanks to automation and direct booking strategies.
Our Team
Vera Elkins
President
The president of the DSTRA since October 2021. Vera Elkins believes deeply in the fundamental constitutional rights of all short-term rental hosts and owners. Alongside fellow DSTRA board members, she has steadily advocated for DSTRA members. With over 12 years of success in the short-term rental industry, she hosts over 50 properties and remains steadfast in her commitment to defending the constitutional rights of the short-term rental community.
Patrick Block
Treasurer
Patrick Block serves as Board Member and Treasurer of the Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance (DSTRA) where he plays a key role in advocacy and organizational leadership. An experienced Airbnb operator since April 2019, Patrick has hosted thousands of guests, earning over 2,100 reviews while maintaining a 4.94 overall rating. All of his Airbnb listings have achieved Guest Favorite status, underscoring his commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences. Beyond hosting, he is actively engaged in defending property rights and fair regulations for short-term rentals. Patrick is deeply involved in the lawsuit filed by DSTRA challenging the City of Dallas’s attempt to ban STRs, reflecting his commitment to protecting the rights of hosts and strengthening the STR community.
Karen Eubank
Board Member at Large
Karen Eubank is a senior columnist for Candys Dirt.com She is a glob-trotting, history-loving eternal optimist who would find it impossible to live without Tex Mex and dark chocolate
Sandra Figueroa
Board Member at Large
A Dallas native and UT Austin alum, Sandra brings over a decade of project management experience. Since shifting her focus to the short term rental industry, she has transitioned from single property operations to managing multifamily units in Dallas. When she isn't working, she enjoys snowboarding and is a passionate advocate for street dog rescue.
Marisol Timm
Secretary
Marisol Timm is a builder, connector, and big-picture thinker. Her work spans real estate, short-term rental advocacy, and business strategy, where she helps leaders balance profitability with responsibility. Known for her clear voice and calm authority, Marisol brings structure to chaos and humanity to strategy.