By Charles E Burkett
POSTED: FEB 6 2020 3:55PM CST
DENTON – Starting this month, short-term rentals like those listed on Airbnb and Vrbo are required to register with the city. There is a $100 yearly fee and safety inspection the city says is important to protect guests staying in the home. The annual fee is above and beyond the 7% state hotel occupancy tax.
The Business Services Manager for Denton, Charlie Rosendahl, said, “The regulations were passed by City Council in April of 2019. And they became effective on Oct. 1, but we've been working in that time period since October to get the word out there about the regulations and we started accepting applications on Feb.1st.”
The new required registration was also mentioned in recent citizen resident updates that were received by mail.
The new code requires whole houses that are being rented to be registered with the city, any single room rentals are not required to be registered.
Rentals now require smoke and carbon monoxide detectors along with a fire extinguisher to be in the home. There is also a notice that is to be sent to neighbors within 100 feet of the rental home to alert them that the residence is being used as a short-term rental.
Some residents that were renting space were opposed to the new requirements. Many residents rented properties as an extra income. One Denton resident, Casey Straughn, said that City Council Representative Deb Armintor attempted to block the regulation from going into effect but was unsuccessful back in April 2019.
According to Rosendahl, there are no current fines being implemented at this time if a resident did not register their rental, though will be considered in the future.
Application forms and requirements are listed on the city of Denton's website or you can go in person to 215 W. Hickory St. in Denton, TX.
