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Dallas vs. Houston: short-term-rental rules
Both are in Texas, but the rules differ. Houston is currently the more permissive of the two for short-term rentals (Allowed with registration), while Dallas is tighter (Restricted).
| Rule | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| STR status | Restricted | Allowed with registration |
| City license / registration | City of Dallas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) registration & remittance; Short-term rental registration & inspection (2023 ordinance) | Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration; Hotel Occupancy Tax registration / remittance (condition of STR certificate) |
| Primary residence | Not specified | Not required |
| Minimum stay | No set minimum | 1-night minimum |
| Lodging tax | ~15.0% total | ~13.0% total |
| Enforcement | Active | Active |
For most hosts, Houston 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 Dallas rules Full Houston rules
Frequently asked questions
Is short-term renting easier in Dallas or Houston?
Houston is currently the more permissive (Allowed with registration) versus Dallas (Restricted). Verify against each city's full record, since rules change.
Do both Dallas and Houston require a license or registration?
Dallas: yes — City of Dallas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) registration & remittance; Short-term rental registration & inspection (2023 ordinance). Houston: yes — Short-Term Rental Certificate of Registration; Hotel Occupancy Tax registration / remittance (condition of STR certificate).
Which has lower lodging taxes, Dallas or Houston?
Houston is lower at ~13.0% 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.