Two proposals will be up for consideration: the recommendation from the Dallas City Plan Commission discussed during an April briefing meeting or a new recommendation coming from city staff by the end of the week. City Council could also choose to merge the proposals ahead of the June 14 meeting.
A long time coming
New regulations for short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb, have been anticipated for at least three years with some residents repeatedly voicing concerns about rentals bringing unwanted noise, traffic and safety hazards to the neighborhoods they live in. Short-term rental operators have called for stricter regulations rather than a ban on the properties, which would impact a major source of income for many operators.
City Council was previously briefed on a proposed short-term rental ordinance in April that would regulate where they could be located, but a vote on the ordinance was delayed from its scheduled date of April 12 to conduct extra research. During another briefing on short-term rentals June 7, City Council members were divided on whether to support the planning commission’s proposal or delay the vote again for further consideration.
City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the vote was set to be considered next week, so the short-term rental debate could be resolved by the current council members before newly elected members are inaugurated.
The conditions
Under the proposal recommended in April, short-term rentals would only be allowed in central-area, mixed-use, multiple commercial and urban corridor districts. According to a map of proposed zoning districts, short-term rentals would almost entirely be banned in Lake Highlands and Lakewood except along US 75. Each full or partial rental unit would require one off-street parking space.
All short-term rental owners and hosts would be required to annually apply to register their rentals with the city. Code Compliance Services would conduct an initial inspection of each property after each registration and renewal of registration, according to April meeting documents.
Short-term rental occupancy would be limited to three people per bedroom with a required minimum rental period of two nights. No amplified sound equipment audible beyond the property’s line would be permitted between 10 p.m.-7 a.m., according to the proposal.
Related highlights
In May, Plano City Council approved an interim ban on short-term rentals before its vote on a registration ordinance, which is scheduled for June 26. Also in May, Coppell City Council implemented a new process similar to a zoning change for those interested in registering their homes as short-term rentals.
In Richardson, new short-term rental regulations, including stricter registration guidelines and potential fines, were implemented in January. And in Fort Worth, City Council approved an ordinance to restrict short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods in February.
Get involved
Dallas City Council will meet at City Hall on June 14 at 9 a.m. to discuss and potentially vote on the short-term rental proposal. Community members can register to speak at the meeting through the Dallas City Hall website, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 214-670-3738. The deadline to register to speak at the June 14 meeting is 5 p.m. June 13.
