Council to vote on registration ordinance for short-term rentals

Council to vote on registration ordinance for short-term rentals

Published on January 17, 2023

On Jan. 31, City Council is scheduled to consider a registration ordinance for legal short-term rentals in Fort Worth.

A short-term rental, sometimes referred to as a "vacation rental," is a residential property available for rent for guest lodging for a period ranging from one to 29 days.

Based on the City's data mining service, there were nearly 120 short-term rentals that operated in allowed zoning districts during December 2022. In addition, short-term rentals exist in residential districts in Fort Worth, where they are not allowed.

The proposed ordinance would require:

• Only legal short-term rentals be allowed to register.
• An annual registration and fee: $150 for the initial year and $100 per year for renewals.
• Collection of hotel occupancy tax for the property.
• A local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond to concerns at the property.
• No more than one group would be allowed to inhabit the property at a time.
• Rentals would be limited to three people per bedroom, with a maximum of nine people staying in the property at one time.
• Only on-premise parking would be allowed.
• No events or parties would be allowed, and no outdoor gatherings or music between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• The host would be required to provide instructions to comply with noise, trash, parking and curfew ordinances.
• Advertising and operation of short-term rentals without registration would be prohibited.
• Registration may be revoked based on violations. Registrations would be nontransferable.

What happens next:The City's Code Compliance and Financial Management Services departments are working together to procure a third-party service to register and administer legal short-term rentals. The scope of services will include ongoing identification, registration, compliance monitoring, hotel occupancy tax collection and customer service.

If the registration ordinance is adopted, City staff will mail property owners and provide a timeline for registration with a deadline of May 1, 2023.

Learn more.

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• City Council