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Austin vs. Dallas: short-term-rental rules
Both are in Texas, but the rules differ. Austin is currently the more permissive of the two for short-term rentals (Allowed with registration), while Dallas is tighter (Restricted).
| Rule | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| STR status | Allowed with registration | Restricted |
| City license / registration | Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License; City of Austin Hotel Occupancy Tax registration/reporting | City of Dallas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) registration & remittance; Short-term rental registration & inspection (2023 ordinance) |
| Primary residence | Not required | Not specified |
| Minimum stay | No set minimum | No set minimum |
| Lodging tax | ~17.0% total | ~15.0% total |
| Enforcement | Active | Active |
For most hosts, Austin is the easier of the two to operate in today, but confirm the specifics — rules change, and the "Restricted" status in Dallas may still allow rentals under the right conditions. Open each full record for the cited, dated details.
Full Austin rules Full Dallas rules
Frequently asked questions
Is short-term renting easier in Austin or Dallas?
Austin is currently the more permissive (Allowed with registration) versus Dallas (Restricted). Verify against each city's full record, since rules change.
Do both Austin and Dallas require a license or registration?
Austin: yes — Short-Term Rental (STR) Operating License; City of Austin Hotel Occupancy Tax registration/reporting. Dallas: yes — City of Dallas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) registration & remittance; Short-term rental registration & inspection (2023 ordinance).
Which has lower lodging taxes, Austin or Dallas?
Dallas is lower at ~15.0% total. Combined lodging tax stacks state + local rates; see each record for the breakdown and who remits.
Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against each jurisdiction's official sources.