Short-Term Rental Laws in Fort Worth, TX (2026)
Fort Worth prohibits short-term rentals (1-29 day stays) in all residential zoning districts; they are allowed only in mixed-use and most form-based, commercial, and industrial districts. Legal operators must hold an annual Short-Term Rental Registration ($150 initial, $100 renewal) and collect the city's 9% hotel occupancy tax plus the 6% Texas state hotel tax. A March 2025 district-court ruling upheld the city's residential ban.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 6 official sources. How we verify data
Fort Worth STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Registration |
| Permit fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Minimum stay | 1 night |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~15% of gross revenue |
| Enforcement | The Code Compliance Department investigates complaints and issues warnings or citations for STR violations. Owners must designate a local responsible party reachable at all times while occupants are present and able to be at the premises within one hour of a call from the city. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute maximum of 12 persons and only one group at a time; special events are prohibited; vehicles are limited to available off-street parking spaces. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and a revoked registration bars re-registration of the premises for one year. |
| Current rules effective | 2023-02-28 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Fort Worth stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Fort Worth, TX — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Fort Worth occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax (9%)· host remits | $40.50 |
| Total tax (15%) | $67.50 |
| Guest pays | $517.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Fort Worth requires Short-Term Rental Registration to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $150, renewed annual.
First-time application fee is $150.00; annual renewal fee is $100.00 (Code Sec. 7-459). Registration and renewal are filed online through the Localgov portal, and applicants must upload a Zoning Confirmation showing the property is in a district where STR use is allowed. Registration is non-transferable.
Zoning & location rules
STRs are not allowed in any residential zoning district (A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, UR). They are allowed in all mixed-use and most form-based, commercial, and industrial zoning districts. Registration applications must include a Zoning Confirmation 'success' result; owners of prohibited properties may seek a rezoning to Planned Development (PD), but changes are not guaranteed. The residential prohibition was upheld by a Tarrant County district court in March 2025.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax6% of the cost of a room (rooms costing $15 or more per day). Short-term rental platforms with an agreement to collect state HOT (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo) must collect and remit it; otherwise the property owner is responsible. | 6% | varies |
| City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax9% of room receipts (7% hotel tax + 2% hotel convention tax) on rooms costing $2 or more per day. The STR owner/operator must collect it from guests and remit monthly to the city via the Localgov portal by the 25th of the following month, with $0 filings required. Late penalty 15% of tax owed; delinquent taxes accrue 10% per annum interest. | 9% | host |
Enforcement & penalties
The Code Compliance Department investigates complaints and issues warnings or citations for STR violations. Owners must designate a local responsible party reachable at all times while occupants are present and able to be at the premises within one hour of a call from the city. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute maximum of 12 persons and only one group at a time; special events are prohibited; vehicles are limited to available off-street parking spaces. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and a revoked registration bars re-registration of the premises for one year.
Violations of the STR article are misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense, or up to $2,000 for offenses governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation; each day is a separate offense. Failure to collect, report, or remit hotel occupancy tax (or filing a false report) is a separate misdemeanor under the city tax code.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Fort Worth: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: STRs are not allowed in any residential zoning district (A-#, AR, B, R1, R2, CR, C, D, UR). They are allowed in all mixed-use and most form-based, commercial, and industrial zoning districts. Registration applications must include a Zoning Confirmation 'success' result; owners of prohibited properties may seek a rezoning to Planned Development (PD), but changes are not guaranteed. The residential prohibition was upheld by a Tarrant County district court in March 2025. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Registration
Budget $150 (annual renewal). First-time application fee is $150.00; annual renewal fee is $100.00 (Code Sec. 7-459). Registration and renewal are filed online through the Localgov portal, and applicants must upload a Zoning Confirmation showing the property is in a district where STR use is allowed. Registration is non-transferable. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%), City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax (9%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 5
Configure your listing to the operating limits
Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 1-night minimum stay — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.
- 6
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annual (budget $150 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 7
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Violations of the STR article are misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense, or up to $2,000 for offenses governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation; each day is a separate offense. Failure to collect, report, or remit hotel occupancy tax (or filing a false report) is a separate misdemeanor under the city tax code. The Code Compliance Department investigates complaints and issues warnings or citations for STR violations. Owners must designate a local responsible party reachable at all times while occupants are present and able to be at the premises within one hour of a call from the city. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute maximum of 12 persons and only one group at a time; special events are prohibited; vehicles are limited to available off-street parking spaces. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and a revoked registration bars re-registration of the premises for one year.
Recent rule changes in Fort Worth
March 6, 2025material
District court upholds Fort Worth's residential STR ban
Judge Josh Burgess of the 352nd District Court granted the city's motion in the lawsuit filed in June 2023 by 114 short-term rental operators, ruling Fort Worth may keep banning STRs in residential areas; plaintiffs said they would appeal.
Official source →January 5, 2024
Localgov portal made mandatory for STR registration and HOT filings
Starting January 5, 2024, Fort Worth taxpayers are required to use the Localgov portal to register STR properties and submit hotel occupancy tax filings and payments (beginning with the December 2023 liability period).
Official source →February 14, 2023material
STR registration ordinance adopted; residential prohibition retained
City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 26005-02-2023 adding Chapter 7, Article XIII 'Short-Term Rental Registration' ($150/$100 annual registration, occupancy caps, local responsible party, one-night minimum, event ban), while keeping the Zoning Ordinance rule that STRs are not allowed in residential districts.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Fort Worth?
Airbnb is legal in Fort Worth, TX, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Fort Worth?
Yes. Fort Worth requires a Short-Term Rental Registration to operate a short-term rental, which costs $150 and must be renewed every year. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Fort Worth short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Registration costs $150 (annual renewal). First-time application fee is $150.00; annual renewal fee is $100.00 (Code Sec. 7-459). Registration and renewal are filed online through the Localgov portal, and applicants must upload a Zoning Confirmation showing the property is in a district where STR use is allowed. Registration is non-transferable.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Fort Worth?
Yes — Fort Worth does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Fort Worth?
Hosts in Fort Worth are subject to: Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%), City of Fort Worth Hotel Occupancy Tax (9%) — roughly 15% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Is there a minimum stay for short-term rentals in Fort Worth?
Yes — Fort Worth requires a minimum stay of 1 night for short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Fort Worth?
No — in Fort Worth hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Fort Worth?
Violations of the STR article are misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense, or up to $2,000 for offenses governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation; each day is a separate offense. Failure to collect, report, or remit hotel occupancy tax (or filing a false report) is a separate misdemeanor under the city tax code. The Code Compliance Department investigates complaints and issues warnings or citations for STR violations. Owners must designate a local responsible party reachable at all times while occupants are present and able to be at the premises within one hour of a call from the city. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute maximum of 12 persons and only one group at a time; special events are prohibited; vehicles are limited to available off-street parking spaces. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and a revoked registration bars re-registration of the premises for one year.
›When did Fort Worth's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on February 28, 2023. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
Fort Worth's STR rules changed 1 time recently.
Get an email the moment Fort Worth changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in Fort Worth
- Fort Worth short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in Fort Worth?
- All Texas STR laws by city
- Occupancy tax calculator
- Compare STR permit costs across cities
- Fort Worth ranks among cheapest str permit cities
- Fort Worth ranks among strictest str cities
- STR city rankings: strictest, cheapest permits & more
- What is transient occupancy tax?
- What are minimum-stay rules?
- Best STR compliance tools, compared
- Latest STR rule changes nationwide
Sources
- Short-Term Rentals (STR) - City of Fort Worth (official STR page)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance No. 26005-02-2023 - Short-Term Rental Registration (adds Ch. 7 Art. XIII)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Fort Worth Code of Ordinances, Article XIII: Short-Term Rental Registration (American Legal Publishing)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Texas Comptroller - Hotel Occupancy Taxretrieved July 20, 2026
- Texas Comptroller - Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQ (short-term rental platforms)retrieved July 20, 2026
- KERA News - Court rules Fort Worth can keep banning short-term rentals in residential areas (Mar 12, 2025)retrieved July 20, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Fort Worth and a qualified professional before operating.