Arlington, TX - STR Regulations
Disclaimer: This is a summary of STR policies that apply to Arlington, TX highlighting select guidelines and requirements. Do NOT rely on this information as comprehensive source material or as legal, financial or tax advice. Contact your city, county or state governments for official policy and consult your attorney and/or CFA for legal, financial and tax questions.
On April 23rd 2019 the Arlington, TX city council passed an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals (rental of lodging for less than 30 days). The ordinance established a permitting process, enacted restrictions and prohibitions on various activities at STRs, and set forth fines and penalties for violations. At the same time the city also passed a change to the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC) establishing large swaths of the city where STRs will no longer be permitted. This page summarizes some of the key features of of the ordinances.
Note: the Arlington ordinance does not treat owner-occupied rentals (home-sharing) different from renting the entire home. All aspects of the ordinance apply to both types of rentals.
Editor's Note: The START Movement is providing this information solely to assist STR owners in Arlington. While we are in favor of reasonable policies that protect the health, safety and welfare of STR owners and our fellow residents, we find the current ordinance to be grossly overreaching, with many elements that infringe on property and other constitutional rights. Others are simply unnecessary and harassing, having nothing to do with serving the health, safety, and welfare of the City. If you would like to help us fight back against the injustices of this ordinance in favor of more reasonable policy please JOIN US today!
Content
Key Dates- April 23rd 2019 – STR ordinances passed by city council
- August 1st 2019 – Ordinance effective date (applications for permits accepted)
- October 1st 2019 – Discontinuance date for non-grandfathered owners
Owners who were NOT registered or current on City of Arlington Hotel and Occupancy Tax (HOT) payments by April 23rd, 2019 were required to get a permit (if eligible) or cease all rentals of less than 30 days by October 1st, 2019.
- January 1st 2020 – Discontinuance date for grandfathered owners
Owners who were registered and current on City of Arlington HOT payments by April 23rd, 2019 are required to get a permit (if eligible) or cease all rentals of less than 30 days by January 31st, 2020.
Permissible STR Locations
- Renting for less than 30 days in residential zoning districts is prohibited in Arlington except in the following areas:
- Medium Density (RM-12) Zoning Districts
- Multi-family (RMF-22) Zoning Districts
- STR Zone
The STR Zone extends approximately one mile from the center of the Arlington entertainment district, and is bounded by Center St to the West, Southbound State Highway 360 Frontage Rd to the East, East Lamar Blvd to the North, and East Abram St to the South.
Arlington STR Zoning Districts
To verify the zoning district for a specific property, enter the property address in the search block at Arlington Maps Online
Regulations
- Permitting – operating a short-term rental without a permit is prohibited
- The permit must be displayed in a conspicuous location inside the front entrance
- Any advertising of a short-term rental must include the permit number
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- Taxes – Rentals of less than 30 days are required to pay HOT either monthly or quarterly
- State of Texas – 6% of gross rental income
- City of Arlington – 9% of gross rental income
- Occupancy – maximum allowable guests is the lesser of:
- Two guests per bedroom plus two, or
- 12 guests total
- Parking
- Limited to number of available off-street parking spaces
- Parking on a residential street near a short-term rental is prohibited
- Renovations – renovations that add additional bedrooms or parking spaces are prohibited
- Noise – using amplified sound equipment between 10:00pm and 9:00am is prohibited
- Trash & Recycling – (same as for any other residence)
- Trash may not be placed at the curb for pickup any earlier than 7:00pm the night before the scheduled pickup day
- Recycling bins must be retrieved from the curb before 7:00pm on collection day
- Curfew – occupants are prohibited from congregating outside between 10:00pm and 9:00am
- Special events – special events e.g. weddings, receptions, reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, concerts etc. are prohibited at STRs
Penalties - Violations of the Arlington STR Ordinance can result in:
- Revocation of the STR permit
- Criminal misdemeanor charges
- Fines of up to $2,000 for each violation and for each day a violation continues to exist
- City of Arlington Information on Short-Term Rentals
- Arlington STR Ordinance
- Arlington UDC (note STR sections 3.4.3 and 3.4.5.E)
- Arlington Maps Online - enter an address to find the following information:
- Property legal description
- Zoning designation
- City Council representative
- Garbage and recycling collection days