Executive Overview: STR Status in Grapevine

Short-term rentals are NOT broadly allowed in Grapevine, Texas. The city maintains a highly restrictive regulatory framework where:

• Single-family residential STRs are expressly prohibited in all residential zoning districts
• Non-residential STRs (businesses, warehouses) are forbidden
• Multifamily STRs are allowed only under very specific, limited conditions in qualifying apartment complexes
• All STR operations require city permits even in permitted multifamily settings

This regulatory environment represents one of the most restrictive STR frameworks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with multifamily units accounting for the only legal pathway to operate STRs in Grapevine.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Starting an STR business in Grapevine requires navigating a complex regulatory landscape with multiple requirements and significant limitations. Here's the step-by-step process for eligible properties:

Step 1: Property Qualification Assessment

For Multifamily Properties Only:

• Verify your property is located within R-MF or RMF-2 Zoning Districts
• Confirm the multifamily complex contains at least 50 units
• Ensure the property is NOT within the Historic Grapevine Township or any Transit District Overlay
• Verify the property line is NOT within 500 feet of any single-family zoning district (R-5.0, R-7.5, R-12.5, R-TH, or R-20)
• Confirm you can operate no more than 3% of the complex's units as STRs

Step 2: Conditional Use Permit Process

• Submit a conditional use request to the City Council for the multifamily development
• Obtain City Council approval before proceeding with STR permit applications
• This is a prerequisite requirement - STR permits cannot be processed without approved conditional use status

Step 3: STR Permit Application Process

• Submit multifamily STR permit application after conditional use approval
• Complete inspection process of specific units and property
• Ensure application includes all required documentation (detailed in next section)

Step 4: Operating Restrictions Compliance

• Limit STR operations to maximum 180 days per calendar year
• Maintain minimum 24-hour rental periods
• Comply with occupancy limits and parking requirements
• Ensure responsible party availability within 60 minutes

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Primary Permits and Authorizations

1. Conditional Use Permit

   • Issued by City Council
   • Required before STR permit application
   • Must be approved for the entire multifamily development

2. Multifamily Short-Term Rental Permit

   • Annual permit from City of Grapevine
   • $500 application fee per year
   • Non-transferable permit
   • Subject to inspection requirements

Required Application Documentation

For Individual Operators:

• Personal information: name, physical/street address, mailing address, phone, fax, email
• Date of birth and driver's license number
• Contact information for designated responsible party available 24/7
• Proof of general liability insurance ($1,000,000 minimum per occurrence)
• Texas-licensed insurance company with minimum A- rating by AM Best

For Corporate Operators:

• Corporate representative information with authority to act on behalf of the entity
• Texas Secretary of State business entity documentation
• Proof of good standing with State of Texas
• All individual operator requirements listed above

Property and Operational Information:

• Total number of units in complex and specific unit numbers proposed for STR use
• Complete list of all internet platforms used for advertising or reservations
• House rules that comply with city ordinances
• Identification of all dedicated off-street parking spaces
• Designation of responsible party with 24/7 availability

Compliance Requirements:

• General liability insurance documentation
• House rules compliant with city ordinances
• Material change notification procedures (within 7 days of changes)

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Grapevine Regulations

Permitted Uses and Locations

• Only allowed: Multifamily STRs in R-MF and RMF-2 zoning districts
• Prohibited: All single-family residential STRs, non-residential STRs
• Minimum complex size: 50 units required
• Unit limitation: Maximum 3% of complex units can be STRs
• Geographic restrictions: Not allowed in Historic Grapevine Township or Transit District Overlays
• Buffer requirements: Cannot be within 500 feet of single-family zoning

Operational Restrictions

• Annual operation limit: Maximum 180 days per calendar year
• Minimum rental period: 24 hours
• Occupancy limits: Maximum 2 people per bedroom, 12 people total per unit
• Advertising restrictions: Cannot advertise to host more than 12 people
• Sound limitations: Maximum 63 decibels measured at property lines
• Noise curfew: No outside congregation between 10 PM and 9 AM
• Special events prohibited: No banquets, weddings, parties, concerts, or similar events

Parking Requirements

• Minimum spaces: At least one off-street space for each bedroom OR one space per every two advertised guests (whichever is greater)
• Street parking: Prohibited for all STR guests and renters
• Dedicated spaces: Must identify specific off-street parking dedicated to STR use

Property and Access Requirements

• Common household requirement: Internal doors cannot have key locks excluding renters from any rooms
• Unrestricted access: All renters must have complete access to entire rental unit
• No bedroom additions: Properties cannot add bedrooms after STR registration
• Owner operation requirement: Operator must be property owner or owner's representative

County Level Regulations

Tarrant County: No specific county-level STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. STR operations must comply with all city regulations within Grapevine's jurisdiction.

State Level Regulations (Texas)

No state-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. Texas follows local control for STR regulations, meaning cities have primary authority over STR operations within their jurisdictions.

Enforcement and Compliance

Permit Enforcement Actions

• Suspension/revocation triggers: Three or more violations of city ordinances during calendar year
• Severe violation provisions: Single severe ordinance or criminal violations may result in immediate suspension/revocation
• Appeal process: 30-day window to appeal to City Manager, then Board of Zoning Adjustment
• Revocation penalties: Cannot apply for new permits for two years after revocation
• Appeal operations: STR operations cannot continue during appeal processes

Reporting and Compliance

• Code Enforcement: Primary contact for STR violations and questions
• Material changes: Must report within 7 days of any application information changes
• Platform compliance: Hosting platforms must require permit numbers and remove non-compliant listings within 10 days of city notification

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Oversight Contacts

Code Enforcement (STR Questions and Violations)

• Phone: (817) 410-3156
• Email: codeenforcement@grapevinetexas.gov
• Purpose: STR violation reporting, general STR questions, suspected illegal STR operations

Grapevine Police Department (Criminal Activity)

• Phone: (817) 410-8127
• Purpose: Report illegal activities at suspected STR locations

City Hall (General Information)

• Address: 200 S. Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051
• Phone: (817) 410-3000
• Purpose: General city information, department routing

City Council (Conditional Use Permits)

• Contact through City Hall
• Purpose: Conditional use permit applications and approvals required before STR permits

Planning Services Department

• Direct contact information not provided in sources
• Responsibility: STR permit applications, inspection processes, regulatory compliance
• Contact routing: Available through City Hall at (817) 410-3000

Sources and Links

Primary Regulatory Documents

1. Section 21 - Short-Term Rentals (Zoning Ordinance)

   • URL: www.grapevinetexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/267/Section-21---Short-term-Rentals
   • Content: Complete regulatory framework for multifamily STRs
   • Last Updated: January 16, 2024

2. City FAQ - Short-Term Rentals

   • URL: www.grapevinetexas.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=307
   • Content: General STR questions and prohibition clarifications
   • Purpose: Basic regulatory overview and prohibited uses

News and Legal Updates

3. Community Impact - STR Ordinance Adoption

   • URL: communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/government/2024/01/17/grapevine-council-adopts-ordinance-restricting-short-term-rentals-to-multifamily-units/
   • Content: January 2024 ordinance adoption coverage
   • Date: January 17, 2024

4. Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Court Ruling

   • URL: www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article302930649.html
   • Content: March 2025 court decision upholding STR regulations
   • Date: March 27, 2025

5. Facebook - TheGrapevineEdit

   • URL: www.facebook.com/TheGrapevineEdit/posts/-no-short-term-rentals-allowed-after-nearly-seven-years-of-legal-back-and-forth-/637649972569609/
   • Content: Community commentary on STR prohibition
   • Purpose: Social context and resident sentiment

Important Disclaimer: This guide is based on the provided sources and reflects Grapevine's regulations as of the dates indicated in the sources. STR regulations can change frequently. Investors should verify current requirements with the City of Grapevine directly before making investment decisions. The highly restrictive nature of Grapevine's STR regulations requires careful compliance verification and may limit viable investment opportunities in this market.