Overview

• Short-term rentals are allowed in the city of Dalhart, Texas under state law, provided the property is lawful for lodging uses and the operator complies with all applicable state and local requirements. The city’s zoning, building, fire, and health codes govern where lodging can occur, but the provided documents do not show a city- or county-level STR registration or permit program. If any such program exists, it is not documented in the sources provided.
• STATE-LEVEL TAX COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY: All STR operators must register with the Texas Comptroller and collect/remit Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (state rate 6%). Cities and counties may also levy HOT, and operators must report and remit those local rates where they apply. Consult the City of Dalhart, Dallam County, and Hartley County for current local rates and remittance procedures. Sources: Texas Hotel & Lodging Association (THLA) STR Update 2018; Comptroller guidance (state HOT program is referenced in THLA content); City of Dalhart FY2023 financials showing “CRP & Hotel/Motel occupancy taxes” as a recognized revenue stream, indicating the tax regime is active locally. [Sources: THLA; Comptroller state HOT page; Dalhart AFR FY2023]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Dalhart

• Step 1 — Site Suitability and Zoning Verification
  • Confirm the subject property is located within the City of Dalhart and that transient lodging is an allowed use under the applicable zoning district.
  • If the property is in a homeowners’ association (HOA) or under deed restrictions, review and secure compliance (many communities prohibit STRs).
• Step 2 — Building, Fire, and Safety Compliance
  • Verify that the property meets residential building code requirements and that any occupancy classification is appropriate.
  • Confirm fire safety, egress, smoke/CO detectors, and any other applicable life-safety requirements for lodging. If a property is used for more than “owner-occupied” guest lodging, local health and fire inspection requirements may apply.
• Step 3 — State Tax Registration and Local Rate Confirmation
  • Register with the Texas Comptroller for a Hotel Occupancy Tax account and obtain a tax permit.
  • Determine the combined HOT rate: state (6%) plus applicable local rates set by Dalhart (city) and by Dallam County and/or Hartley County. Remit HOT monthly (or as required) to the Comptroller, allocating local portions as instructed by the Comptroller’s filing system.
• Step 4 — Business Licensing (if applicable)
  • Obtain any local business license/registration required by the City of Dalhart if you will operate a business on the property. The provided documents do not confirm a specific STR license; check with the City Secretary for current requirements.
• Step 5 — Platform Accounts and Listings
  • Set up your listings with Airbnb, VRBO, and any other distribution platforms, ensuring you provide correct local registration numbers or permits if they are requested by the platform.
• Step 6 — Insurance
  • Carry appropriate property, liability, and (if needed) umbrella coverage to protect against guest-related risks. Consider business income coverage if relevant.
• Step 7 — Guest Policies and Operations
  • Establish quiet hours, occupancy limits, parking rules, waste management, occupancy taxes, and house rules. Consider a local property manager to ensure compliance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• State Tax
  • Texas Comptroller HOT registration and permit. Collect 6% state HOT on all taxable rentals and remit per Comptroller deadlines.
• Local Tax
  • Identify and remit applicable city (Dalhart) and county (Dallam County and/or Hartley County) HOT. The total local rate varies by jurisdiction and may change; the Comptroller’s system will route local portions to the correct entities.
• Zoning/Use Compliance
  • Written confirmation (internal record) that transient lodging is a permitted use at the subject address. Document the zoning district and permitted uses.
• HOA/Deed Restrictions (if any)
  • Copy of HOA bylaws, CC&Rs, or deed restrictions indicating whether STRs are permitted.
• Fire and Safety
  • Evidence of smoke and CO detectors, egress compliance, and any local fire inspection where required for lodging use.
• Accounting Records
  • Rental income logs, platform statements, guest records, and remittance filings to the Comptroller.
• Insurance
  • Certificate of insurance evidencing property and liability coverage appropriate for an STR.
• Business Registration (local)
  • Local business license/registration number (if required by the City of Dalhart). The provided sources do not confirm a specific STR permit program.

Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

• State of Texas
  • Short-term rentals are permissible subject to local zoning and public health/safety rules. Texas law requires collection/remittance of Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax at 6% on lodging charges. Source: THLA STR Update 2018; Comptroller state HOT guidance is referenced within THLA content.
• Dallam County and Hartley County
  • No county-specific STR regulatory programs are identified in the provided materials. Counties may levy HOT; operators must collect and remit any applicable county HOT in addition to state and city rates. Confirm county rates with county tax offices.
• City of Dalhart
  • No city-specific STR licensing, registration, density caps, or inspection program is documented in the provided sources. Zoning and general health/safety codes still apply. The City’s FY2023 financials recognize “CRP & Hotel/Motel occupancy taxes” as revenue, indicating HOT is active locally. Source: City of Dalhart Annual Financial Report FY2023.
• Municipal Finance Compliance
  • If your STR activity requires municipal business registration or other local approvals, the City Secretary is the intake office; general financial compliance is handled by the Finance Department. Source: City of Dalhart AFR FY2023 (organizational structure and financial statements).

Contact Information (Local Authority and State Resources)

• City of Dalhart
  • City Secretary (Primary intake for licensing/questions): City of Dalhart, PO Box 2005, Dalhart, TX 79022. For current local business licensing or zoning confirmation.
  • Finance Department (Hotel Occupancy Tax questions and remittance routing): Finance Director Sarah Cooley; City of Dalhart, PO Box 2005, Dalhart, TX 79022.
  • City Phone: Contact through City Secretary; for mail and in-person service, see address above.
  • Official City Website (official notices/forms): www.dalharttx.gov
• State of Texas (Hotel Occupancy Tax)
  • Texas Comptroller: comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/
  • Registration and remittance for state and local HOT portions are processed through the Comptroller. The Comptroller determines local rates and remits the local portions to the appropriate entities.
• County Contacts (for potential county HOT rate inquiries and remittance clarifications)
  • Dallam County Tax Office: 806-244-7471; address per county records (verify current information).
  • Hartley County Tax Office: 806-384-2001; address per county records (verify current information).

Important Notes and Links

• General context on Texas STRs: THLA STR Update 2018 (statewide trends, HOT requirements, examples of other cities). Link: texaslodging.com/short-term-rental-str-update-2018/
• City of Dalhart FY2023 Annual Financial Report ( AFR FY2023 ) includes city organizational structure, a “Promotion and tourism” function, and HOT revenues—evidence that HOT is active locally. Link: www.dalharttx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/652
• Official City website: www.dalharttx.gov
• Comptroller Hotel Occupancy Tax page (state-level guidance, forms, and local rate allocation): comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/

Practical Checklist Before Launch

• Confirm zoning and HOA/deed restrictions allow transient lodging.
• Set up Texas Comptroller HOT registration and determine the total combined HOT rate (state + city + county).
• Verify fire/life-safety compliance for lodging occupancy.
• Secure appropriate insurance.
• Establish accounting and recordkeeping for income, expenses, and HOT remittances.
• Confirm whether Dalhart requires any local business license/registration for STRs (City Secretary is the starting point).

If you identify any subsequent city or county ordinances or forms not captured in the provided sources, obtain and incorporate them prior to listing and leasing your STR.