Regulations >
Texas >
Fort Worth

Want to see how Fort Worth compares to other top cities in Texas?  Explore all city regulations in Texas. →

C

Fort Worth, TX

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Fort Worth STR Expert
Fort Worth, Texas skyline

STR Regulations for Fort Worth, Texas

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Fort Worth?

Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Fort Worth, Texas, but with significant restrictions. STRs are permitted only in mixed-use and most form-based, commercial, and industrial zoning districts. They are explicitly prohibited in all residential zoning districts including A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, and UR districts.

This regulatory framework was established through City Ordinance No. 26005-02-2023, approved by City Council in February 2023, and upheld by a district court judge in March 2025, affirming the city's authority to regulate STRs and maintain the character of residential neighborhoods.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Fort Worth?

Fort Worth hosts earn a median $32,780/year with $188 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $48,370+ per year.

See the full Fort Worth market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Fort Worth

Step 1: Zoning Verification and Compliance

Before proceeding with any other steps, you must verify that your property is located in an allowed zoning district. STRs are permitted in:

  • Mixed-use zoning districts
  • Most form-based zoning districts
  • Commercial zoning districts
  • Industrial zoning districts

STRs are prohibited in all residential districts. If your property is not in an allowed district, you may apply for a Zoning Change to Planned Development (PD), though approval is not guaranteed.

Step 2: Registration Process (Mandatory)

All legal STRs must register with the City of Fort Worth through the Localgov online portal:

Registration Requirements:

  • Complete annual registration application through Localgov (tax.localgov.org/)
  • Fee: $150 for first-time application, $100 for annual renewal
  • Upload Zoning Confirmation PDF showing "success" message
  • Submit registration BEFORE listing the property for use

Step 3: Hotel Occupancy Tax Compliance

All STRs must collect and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) at the rate of 9% of room receipts.

Step 4: Ongoing Compliance

  • Maintain current registration (renew annually)
  • Display registration confirmation prominently at the property
  • Follow all operational regulations
  • File monthly HOT reports even with $0 revenue

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Registration Requirements

  1. STR Registration Application (submitted annually)

    • Physical/street address of the STR
    • Owner information (name, address, email, phone, signature)
    • Corporate owner's representative information
    • Operator/agent information (if applicable)
    • Designated local responsible party contact information
    • Certified statement affirming compliance with all city codes

  2. Zoning Confirmation

    • PDF document showing "success" message from zoning verification
    • Must be uploaded as part of registration application

  3. Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration

    • One-time registration through Localgov
    • No registration fee required
    • Remains valid indefinitely unless ownership changes or revoked

Ongoing Documentation Requirements

  1. Monthly Hotel Occupancy Tax Reports

    • Required even if $0 tax due
    • Filed through Localgov by 25th of following month

  2. Records Retention

    • All financial records supporting monthly reports
    • Must be maintained for compliance auditing purposes

  3. Local Responsible Party Designation

    • Name and contact information of person available 24/7
    • Must be reachable by phone and able to respond within 1 hour
    • Authorized to make decisions regarding premises and occupants

Safety and Operational Guidelines

  • Must comply with International Residential Code bedroom egress requirements
  • Adherence to city noise ordinances
  • Compliance with solid waste and recycling regulations
  • Parking restrictions must be observed

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Fort Worth

Operational Restrictions

Occupancy Limits:

  • Maximum 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons
  • Absolute maximum of 12 persons (including children) at any time
  • Only one group allowed per reservation

Parking Requirements:

  • Maximum vehicles limited to available off-street parking spaces
  • No parking on unapproved surfaces
  • Parking on public streets must comply with all city ordinances

Length of Stay:

  • Minimum stay: 1 night
  • Maximum stay: 29 consecutive days
  • No ongoing month-to-month tenancies for the same renter as primary residence

Prohibited Activities:

  • No advertising or hosting of special events (weddings, receptions, parties, concerts, etc.)
  • No use as event center as defined in Zoning Ordinance
  • No noise violations per Chapter 23-8 of City Code
  • No improper waste disposal

Required Disclosures and Notices

Host Rules Requirements: Must provide occupants with written instructions covering:

  • Occupancy restrictions
  • Parking limitations
  • Trash pickup procedures
  • Special event prohibitions
  • Noise limits and curfew times
  • All applicable city regulations

Registration Display:

  • Copy of approved STR registration must be posted conspicuously inside front entrance(s)

Advertising Requirements:

  • Current registration number must be included in ALL advertisements
  • Any medium: websites, platforms, print, mobile applications
  • Use of unauthorized registration numbers is prohibited

Enforcement and Penalties

Citation Grounds:

  • Operating unregistered STR
  • Violations of occupancy limits
  • Parking violations
  • Noise violations
  • Failure to collect/remit HOT
  • False reporting
  • Hosting prohibited events

Penalties:

  • Misdemeanor charges possible
  • Fines up to $500 per violation (up to $2,000 for fire safety, zoning, health violations)
  • Each day of violation constitutes separate offense
  • Registration revocation possible with 12-month waiting period for new registration

Hotel Occupancy Tax Requirements

Tax Rate: 9% of room receipts ($2+ per day)

  • 7% hotel tax
  • 2% hotel convention tax

Filing Requirements:

  • Monthly filing due by 25th of following month
  • Must file even with $0 revenue
  • Late penalties: 15% of total tax owed
  • Interest: 10% per annum on unpaid taxes

Exemptions:

  • Certain guests exempt per City Code
  • STR responsible for ensuring compliance with exemption rules
  • STR liable for taxes, penalties, and interest if ineligible exemptions granted

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Contacts

Central Revenue Office (Fort Worth)

Localgov Customer Service (Registration and HOT Filing)

Code Compliance Department (Enforcement)

Development Services (Zoning Information)

Additional Resources

City of Fort Worth Main Number: (817) 392-1234 City Hall Address: 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Links to Source Pages

Official City Sources

Legal Documents

State-Level Resources

News and Updates

Training Materials

Important Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available as of January 2024. STR regulations can change, and investors should verify current requirements with official city sources before making investment decisions. The legal challenge to Fort Worth's STR ordinance has been ruled in the city's favor, but appeals may still be filed.

Next step

Found a property in Fort Worth?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Fort Worth

Free brief

Get the free Fort Worth STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Fort Worth, Texas in one email.

Fort Worth

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Fort Worth Market Analysis

Photos of Fort Worth

Overview of Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas is the county seat of Tarrant County and one of the largest cities in the state, with a population of roughly 935,000. The city carries a distinctive Western character that sets it apart from its larger neighbor Dallas, even though the two form the core of the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Long associated with cattle drives, stockyards, and frontier heritage, Fort Worth also offers a polished cultural scene anchored by a tight cluster of internationally recognized museums. It sits about 30 miles west of downtown Dallas, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport straddling the midpoint between the two cities.

The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District preserves the city's nineteenth-century role as a major cattle-trading hub. Located just north of downtown, the district is known for its twice-daily longhorn cattle drives, brick-paved streets, rodeos, saloons, and a general atmosphere of living Old West history. Visitors can also tour the Stockyards Museum and explore shops, honky-tonks, and Tex-Mex and barbecue restaurants within walking distance of each other.

Just a few miles west of the central business district, the Fort Worth Cultural District gathers several of the city's most celebrated institutions into a walkable campus. The neighborhood is anchored by the Kimbell Art Museum, known for its small but exceptional collection ranging from antiquity to the twentieth century, alongside the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The concentration of world-class art within a single district is unusual for a city of Fort Worth's size and gives the area an outsized draw for cultural travelers.

The Fort Worth Zoo is consistently rated among the best zoos in the United States and sits within Trinity Park along the Clear Fork of the Trinity River, about ten minutes west of downtown. The zoo is particularly recognized for its work with elephants, giraffes, and Australian wildlife, and it offers a hands-on experience for families. Nearby, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Japanese Garden extend the recreational appeal of the parkland along the river.

To the north of the city, Texas Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR and IndyCar races several times a year and has become a destination in its own right, drawing tens of thousands of fans for race weekends. About twenty-five miles east, the Arlington Entertainment District — home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and Six Flags Over Texas — adds a major theme-park and major-league-sports dimension to the broader Fort Worth travel market.

For short-term rental investors, Fort Worth offers a rare combination: a strong sense of place rooted in Western and cowboy heritage, a genuine cultural and museum scene, family-friendly attractions, and proximity to two major airports. Visitors can spend a morning in the Stockyards, an afternoon among Old Masters, and an evening at a rodeo or a Rangers game, all without leaving the metro area. The steady flow of business travelers tied to the energy, aviation, and logistics sectors gives the market year-round demand that extends well beyond tourism peaks, making Fort Worth an unusually well-rounded base for short-term rental operations in North Texas.

Want to know if a property in Fort Worth is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.