(A) 
It shall be unlawful to operate a STR or B&B without a lodging license.
(B) 
An application for a lodging license shall be filed with the DCO on an annual basis by the owner or operator of each STR or B&B in accordance with section 97.03. The lodging license shall be issued or denied within sixty (60) days upon receipt of the completed application. Applications must be submitted by the designated date established by the DCO.
(C) 
In addition to the requirements set forth in section 97.03, the application for a lodging license shall contain the following information:
(1) 
A copy of the proposed host rules for the occupants of the STR or B&B;
(2) 
A parking plan for the premises identifying and illustrating the location of parking spaces to be used in conjunction with the STR or B&B;
(3) 
A dimensioned floor plan of the proposed STR or B&B identifying bedrooms, windows, other living spaces and emergency evacuation routes. The plan shall include a window schedule with the window height, width, base dimensions and whether it is operable;
(4) 
Proof of insurance evidencing host protection or other liability insurance commensurate with the operations of the STR or B&B that provides coverage up to $1,000,000 ($1 million dollars) per occurrence. A certificate of insurance must be on file with the DCO. Proof of insurance shall be required at the time of application and every renewal period and notice of cancellation of insurance must be made to the DCO within 30 days;
(5) 
The name and contact information for the STR or B&B's property owner's homeowners association (HOA), if any, of which the premises are covered by the dedicatory instruments;
(6) 
The owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B must provide the name and website link to all internet platforms that host advertisements or take reservations for lodging at the STR or B&B at any time during a 12-month period from the date of application.
(D) 
The application for a lodging license hereunder shall constitute the consent of the applicant and owner to an inspection of the entire premises at reasonable times by the Code Enforcement Officers, Building Inspectors, Sanitarian Inspectors, Fire Inspectors, and other authorized departments of the City of Carrollton for the purpose of determining whether there is any violation on the premises of any ordinances of the City of Carrollton or any law of the State of Texas. Any inspection of the premises or occupied guest rooms at the time of the annual inspection for the lodging license shall not occur before 9:00 a.m. nor later than 7:00 p.m.
(E) 
Prior to approval of a lodging license, the DCO must inspect:
(1) 
The interior of the STR or B&B, including all guest rooms, to determine whether they are uninhabitable, dangerous, or otherwise in violation of applicable laws. If occupied, the occupant and any representative of the STR or B&B shall be permitted to be present, but may not hinder or interfere, with said inspection;
(2) 
The exterior of the premises and all of the common grounds of the STR or B&B;
(3) 
Any or all storage areas, community buildings, swimming pools, athletic facilities, club rooms, equipment rooms, and all other portions of the STR or B&B premises;
(4) 
In the event the DCO is denied entry by the owner, operator, manager, or occupant, that denial is a violation of this chapter and the DCO may use the authority provided by law to gain entry.
(F) 
The owner shall provide each adjoining property within two hundred (200) feet of the STR or B&B property, including properties located across alleys and streets, and the Homeowners Association or Neighborhood Association, when applicable, with written notice on an annual basis that the premises will be used as a short-term rental.
(1) 
The notice shall contain:
(a) 
The full name of the owner or property manager;
(b) 
The telephone number of the landline of the premises; and
(c) 
The telephone number of the local agent or person required to monitor a telephone associated with the management of the premises.
(2) 
Notice shall be deemed to have been given if mailed to each property owner by certified or registered mail on the third business day after the date on which it is mailed.
(3) 
The owner shall attach the certified mail return receipts, or USPS tracking information, as proof of proper notice to neighbors to the lodging license application.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)
(A) 
In addition to the grounds set forth in section 97.04, a lodging license shall be denied for a STR or B&B for any of the following reasons the DCO may discover or deem advisable or necessary in the course of the review of the application:
(1) 
The owner, operator, manager, or occupant of the STR or B&B refused to permit the mandatory inspection of the premises as required prior to issuing a lodging license;
(2) 
The owner, operator, or manager has previously been convicted of three or more citations for violations of this chapter or any other provisions of the Code of Ordinances relating to the STR or B&B use within the preceding 12-month time period;
(3) 
If the owner, operator, or manager previously let the STR or B&B to an occupant who is a registered sex offender in premises located within a child safety zone, as defined in section 130.24 of the Code of Ordinances;
(4) 
If a lodging license for a STR or B&B has been revoked or denied for the premises within the past 12 months.
(B) 
The owner, operator, or manager of the STR or B&B may appeal the DCO's decision pursuant to section 97.06.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)
(A) 
A STR's or B&B's lodging license shall be revoked by the Board in accordance with the process set forth in section 97.06.
(B) 
In addition to the grounds set forth in section 97.05, a STR or B&B lodging license shall be revoked by the Board based on, but not limited to, the following:
(1) 
The owner, operator, manager, or occupant of the STR or B&B has prohibited the mandatory inspection of the premises;
(2) 
The owner, operator, or manager has received and been convicted of three or more citations for violations of this chapter or any other provisions of the Code of Ordinances relating to the STR or B&B use within the preceding 12-month time period;
(3) 
An occupant of the STR or B&B is a registered sex offender and the premises is within a child safety zone, as defined in section 130.24 of this Code;
(4) 
An occupant of the STR or B&B sells alcohol or performs any other activity that requires a permit or license under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code on the premises; or
(5) 
An occupant has been convicted of operating an Adult Entertainment Establishment, as set forth in Article XXIII, of the Carrollton Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, on the premises.
(C) 
In the event a STR or B&B has its lodging license revoked by the Board, a lodging license shall not be issued for a STR or B&B for the premises for a period of one year from the date the license was revoked and may not operate as a STR or B&B without a lodging license.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)
(A) 
The premises or guest rooms, as applicable, of a STR or B&B shall be let only for the use of transient occupants for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days, and shall not be used or occupied on a permanent basis, and no such occupant shall be deemed to be a permanent resident of the STR or B&B.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for a STR or B&B to advertise, let, allow, or otherwise provide the premises or any guest room to any person for more than thirty (30) consecutive days.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, or manager to allow registration under a different name in order to avoid the continuous occupancy restrictions set forth in this section.
(D) 
It shall be unlawful for a STR to allow, advertise, and/or let bedrooms within the premises as a guest room to separate occupants.
(E) 
Any property left in a guest room or at the premises, as applicable, by an occupant that has checked out shall be removed by the owner, operator, or manager of the STR or B&B before the guest room or premises may be occupied by another occupant and be stored or disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)
In addition to the conditions and requirements set forth in section 97.08, the following premise conditions and standards shall apply:
(A) 
Bathroom cleanliness.
Floors shall be washed with water and a sanitizer at change of occupancy or at least once a week when occupancy does not change.
(B) 
Fire safety.
An STR or B&B owner, operator, or manager shall provide all necessary smoke/fire alarms required by state and city codes and must ensure they are placed in required areas and are operable. The owner, operator, or manager must also provide a five pound ABC fire extinguisher on site for emergency use.
(C) 
Renovations.
An owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B may not convert a garage into a living space or bedroom. Nor shall the owner, operator, or manager remodel, renovate, enlarge, or otherwise modify the premises to add additional bedrooms for the STR or B&B use.
(D) 
Paving of premises.
An owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B may not pave or otherwise cover pervious soil to create additional on-premises parking without approval from the DCO.
(E) 
Sound equipment.
The owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B shall not use or allow the use of amplified sound equipment that produces sound audible beyond the property line of the premises between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(F) 
On-premises curfew.
The owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B shall not allow the congregation of occupants outside of the premises between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(G) 
Trash.
The owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B shall not place, or allow to be placed, trash for collection on the premises before the evening prior to the scheduled trash collection day, nor on a day not scheduled for collection by the city or its authorized solid waste vendor.
(H) 
Noise monitoring.
The STR or B&B shall install and maintain noise-monitoring devices to alert the owner, operator, company, or manager of excessive noise levels occurring on the premises.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)
In addition to the conditions set forth in section 97.07, the following requirements and restrictions shall apply:
(A) 
License required.
It shall be unlawful to operate a STR or B&B without a lodging license. Effective December 2, 2025, only renewal lodging licenses will be issued for STRs and B&Bs. No lodging licenses will be issued to premises that were not operating in compliance with city ordinances within the city prior to December 2, 2025.
(B) 
Signage prohibited.
Both a STR and B&B are prohibited from placing any signage on the premises indicating a STR or B&B is operating on the premises.
(C) 
License non-transferable.
The lodging license shall not be transferable or assignable from one person, firm, partnership, corporation, or entity to another person, firm, partnership, corporation, or entity; provided, however, a change in an operator or manager by an owner shall not require a new license as long as the required information provided to the city is updated and the new operator or manager is not ineligible for licensing under this chapter.
(D) 
Ownership changes.
Whenever a change in the owner occurs at an existing STR or B&B, the new owner shall apply for a lodging license within ten (10) business days after closing on the sale of the premises.
(E) 
Display of license.
The owner, operator, or manager shall display the lodging license in the STR or B&B in an open and conspicuous public place in the interior of the premises near the entry way to the STR or to the doorway entry area of the guest room in a B&B.
(F) 
Parking restrictions.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B, to occupy a motor home, recreational vehicle, bus, boat, commercial vehicle, or otherwise prohibited motor vehicle on the premises of a STR or B&B or on a residential street or on parking dedicated for use at a public park.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B to permit, allow, or advise occupants to park more vehicles on the premises than the available off-street parking spaces, or to suffer or permit parking of vehicles on an unapproved surface.
(3) 
The maximum amount of motor vehicles allowed to be parked at a STR or B&B shall be limited to the number of available off-street parking spaces.
(4) 
It shall be unlawful for owner, operator, or manager of a B&B to permit, allow, suffer, or advise occupants to park a motor vehicle on a residential street or on parking dedicated for use at a public park.
(5) 
It shall be unlawful for owner, operator, or manager of a STR to permit, allow, suffer, or advise occupants to park a motor vehicle on a residential street or on parking dedicated for use at a public park.
(G) 
Occupancy restrictions.
It shall be unlawful for an owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B to let, rent, allow, provide, or advertise occupancy limits which exceed the occupancy load found in this subsection.
(1) 
A STR or B&B shall not be occupied by more than four individuals who are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption. The maximum occupancy of a STR or B&B for adult occupants 18 years of age or older is:
Finished Area of a STR or B&B
(in square feet)
Maximum Number of Adult Occupants
Up to 1,200
4 Adult Occupants
1,201 to 1,750
5 Adult Occupants
1,751 to 2,400
6 Adult Occupants
2,401 to 3,150
7 Adult Occupants
3,151 to 4,000
8 Adult Occupants
4,001 to 4,500
9 Adult Occupants
4,501 to 5,000
10 Adult Occupants
*
Square footage used is based on the information provided by the county appraisal districts information on the premises as recorded.
(2) 
Bedrooms in a STR or B&B shall not be occupied by more individuals than listed in the following table. The number of occupants includes both adults and children.
Bedroom Size
(square feet)
Maximum Number of Occupants per Room
70 to 119
1
120 to 169
2
170 to 219
3
220 to 269
4
270 to 319
5
320 and up
6
(H) 
Special events prohibited.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for an owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B to advertise or promote a special event or allow the advertising and promotion of a special event (e.g., banquet, wedding, reception, reunion, bachelor or bachelorette party, concert, or any similar activity that would assemble large numbers of invitees) to be held on the premises (i.e., utilize the premises as a "banquet hall").
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, manager, or occupant of a STR or B&B to allow, suffer, or permit a banquet hall or special event as described to be held on the premises.
(I) 
Notice to occupants.
An owner, operator, or manager of a STR or B&B shall post a notice of instructions (also known as "host rules") to occupants staying at the premises in a form developed by the DCO. The notice shall instruct the occupants as to all applicable city regulations pertaining to a STR or B&B. These include, but are not limited to, occupancy restrictions, limits on parking, trash pickup, prohibitions on special events, limits on amplified sound, and curfew times, and any criminal activity on the premises by an occupant will result in immediate eviction.
(1) 
For a STR the notice of instructions must be posted near or by the front entry door to the premises and must be observable at all times and may not be obstructed in any manner.
(2) 
For a B&B the notice of instructions must be posted in each guest room being let near the guest room entry door and must be observable at all times and may not be obstructed in any manner.
(J) 
Age restriction.
It is unlawful to let to a person who is under the age of twenty-one (21).
(K) 
Background checks.
(1) 
For each rental contract submitted for occupancy, the owner or operator shall, no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the booking:
(a) 
Perform a sex-offender registry check of the booking guest and any additional adults in the booking group;
(b) 
Confirm that the online hosting platform used to advertise the short-term rental has conducted such a check and provides documented verification to the owner or operator.
(2) 
The owner or operator shall retain a copy of the background check or platform verification for a minimum period of twelve (12) months after the booking date and shall provide the information to the DCO upon request.
(L) 
Guest identification.
(1) 
The owner or operator shall verify a government-issued photo identification for the booking guest and any other adult occupant prior to check-in. The ID verification shall include name, date of birth, and photo matching the guest, and the information shall be recorded.
(2) 
The owner or operator shall retain a copy of the guest's ID verification for a minimum of twelve (12) months following the guest's check-out date and shall produce such records to the City upon request.
(M) 
Anti-trafficking training.
(1) 
The owner or operator must receive annual training on how to identify human trafficking activities and victims and how to report human trafficking.
(2) 
Each person receiving training shall maintain a record of completion for a minimum period of twelve (12) months after the training date and shall provide the information to the DCO upon request.
(Ordinance 4291 adopted 12/2/2025)