STR law blocked in Dallas court is not unexpected, but is a setback for advocates who say STRs hurt affordable housing in Dallas.
The City of Dallas approved regulations in June blocking STRs like VRBO and AirBnb from Dallas single-family neighborhoods.
AirBNB and similar operators must also register listings with the city. They must then obtain property inspections and a certificate of occupancy. Then come the fees.
The Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance and other plaintiffs say the ordinance would ban 90% of rental properties.
STR Law Blocked
Judge Monica Purdy of the 95th issued an order granting an injunction against the law until a June trial.
Judge Purdy said the city’s regulations would cause “irreparable harm” to the plaintiffs.
“They have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars…,” Purdy wrote in her order.
She continued, “…The right to conduct STR activity is a vested right in Texas that is a component of home ownership.”
The City of Dallas has previously considered limiting who may own property in Dallas.
At the same time, city council approved a large contract to an out of state vendor for DEI services. The vendor promised to register with the State of Texas, but to dater still has not done so.