UPDATE: Mar. 1, 2024 – 

On February 28th, the Planning & Zoning Commission made the decision to continue its discussion on short-term rentals during their March 20th meeting. As a result, the item will not go through a public hearing or final adoption during the March 19th City Council meeting, and will be rescheduled for a later date.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on February 28, 2024 regarding the proposed Development Code amendments for short-term rentals (STRs). The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation will then be forwarded to the Denton City Council for a public hearing and final adoption during their regular meeting currently scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on March 19, 2024. The proposed amendments are based on the feedback received from the public outreach survey conducted during the Summer of 2023. Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide feedback related to the proposed code amendments during these meetings. 

What is considered a Short-Term Rental?  

The Denton Development Code currently allows short-term rentals in all residential zoning districts (RR-R7) and within the Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MN) zoning district, and defines Short-Term Rental (STR) as: 

“The rental of an entire dwelling unit for monetary consideration for a period of time less than 30 consecutive days, not including a bed and breakfast, boarding or rooming house, hotel, or motel. This definition does not include offering the use of one’s property where no fee is charged or collected.” 

The Code amendments propose to modify the definition of Short-Term Rental to: 

“The rental of an entire dwelling unit or bedroom for monetary consideration for a period of time not less than 24 hours and not more than 29 consecutive days, not including a bed and breakfast, boarding or rooming house, hotel, or motel. This definition does not include offering the use of one’s property where no fee is charged or collected.” 

Therefore, the proposed changes to the definition of an STR include allowing for individual bedrooms to be used as an STR and clarifying that STRs must be rented for not less than 24 hours.  

What are the proposed Denton Development Code amendments, you may ask? Here are the highlights:  

• An STR is clarified to be a dwelling unit or bedroom. It cannot be a nonpermanent structure such as an RV or tent. 
• A ‘Local Emergency Contact’ is defined and required to be listed with each application. The Local Emergency Contact is an individual authorized to address any complaints disturbances, and emergencies that may arise at an STR, and his/her contact info is given to nearby property owners. 
• A 1,000-permit limit is being established for STRs in residential zoning districts (regardless of the type of residential use). The limit is based on responses received from the public outreach to assist with preserving existing neighborhood character. 
• A limit on the number of STRs allowed in multi-family buildings.  In residential zoning districts, multi-family buildings are subject to the 1,000-permit limit and maximum 2 units per parcel; in non-residential zoning districts it is subject to maximum 10% of total units and shall be allowed a minimum of 2 units. 
• A minimum of 100ft distance will be required between properties with an STR on them (applies to any properties within a residential zoning district only).  
• The maximum number of vehicles allowed at a STR shall be limited to available off-street parking. 
• Notification must be made to neighbors, including information for the STR’s Local Emergency Contact.  
• The STR cannot be used or advertised as a party venue.  
• A new registration system will be implemented for submitting and processing applications.  

If  City Council adopts the Code amendments, what is the timeline for implementation?  

If the amendments are ultimately adopted by the Denton City Council, implementation and updated registration for STRs would begin in August 2024.  

STRs that already have a license will not need to re-register for this current calendar year (unless otherwise changed during the public hearing process). A town hall meeting will be planned in the months following City Council’s adoption of the proposed amendments to help STR owners become compliant with the new regulations. 

If you’d like to learn more about the project, ask questions, or submit feedback, visit https://www.discussdenton.com/short-term-rentals.