Dallas, TX
Dallas STR ban isn’t working
Short-term rentals are back in the news, with high program costs, serious enforcement struggles and declining hotel occupancy tax revenue for the city. Is anyone surprised?
In June 2023, the Dallas City Council passed a ban on short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods, potentially putting more than 90% of all Dallas STRs out of business. That action was met with a lawsuit, subsequent injunction and appeal by the city. Meanwhile, STRs continue operating. What went wrong on our way to eliminating the few nuisance STRs that are out there?
The City Council approved a ban that was not supported by factual data nor by city staff. City-provided data in a 2021 report titled, “Short-Term Rental Data Analysis: An Analysis of the Impact of Short-term Rental Properties in the City of Dallas,” and two subsequent reports titled “Short Term Rental Impact Analysis Updates” show that 80% of short-term rentals have zero 311 or 911 calls, that “nuisance STRs are outliers” and that there is “no evidence of a city-wide impact”. City staff testified at City Council meetings against the ban.
Years of STR task forces had already produced a fair and sensible registration ordinance including full funding of the registration program for night and weekend enforcement by STR owners, and serious consequences for nuisance properties. We were on our way to addressing real issues.
But it didn’t last. Opponents of STRs are a vocal minority. Many also oppose ForwardDallas 2.0 and other city policy initiatives that would improve quality of life and affordability. They won the day in June 2023, but what did their advocacy accomplish?
It cost Dallas taxpayers $1.3 million to set up the STR code compliance program and it continues to cost them $650,000 annually to run it, according to testimony from Code Compliance Services Director Christopher Christian. Plus, there’s the cost of the lawsuit. Yet enforcement is no better than before the ban.
The number of STRs has increased slightly over the last year from 3,250 to 3,512, according to city staff briefings, but hotel occupancy tax revenue has dropped from $3.8 million last year to $2.7 million through this July.
How do we get things back on track? The ban is obviously not working. Dallas should get rid of it. Reinstate the original registration ordinance without amendments and negotiate agreements with STR platforms for direct collection of hotel occupancy taxes.
Short-term rentals aren’t going away. They are the preferred hospitality choice for travelers seeking an affordable, authentic experience. The FIFA World Cup is coming to Dallas in 2026. Where will guests stay while they generate millions of dollars of income for our city?
A small but vocal minority of naysayers should not be allowed to dictate city policy. Dallas has always been welcoming of entrepreneurs and diversity. Let’s get back to some fair and easy-to-enforce rules so we can get the few bad apples in line and allow the 80% of responsible STR owners to continue.
Lisa Sievers is a short-term rental owner and member of the Dallas Short-term Rental Alliance.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
-
Miami, FL4 minutes agoDefense dominates, Mensah flashes in Miami’s spring game – The Miami Hurricane
-
Boston, MA10 minutes ago
A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners
-
Denver, CO16 minutes agoDenver Nuggets Altitude broadcasts now being offered in Spanish for first time ever
-
Seattle, WA22 minutes agoNeed to shred? Free drive-up/ride-up shredding Wednesday at Village Green West Seattle
-
San Diego, CA28 minutes agoGame 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
-
Milwaukee, WI34 minutes agoOne person injured following early Sunday morning shooting in Milwaukee
-
Atlanta, GA40 minutes agoPlay Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park
-
Minneapolis, MN46 minutes agoBetween Minneapolis And Lake Superior Is The ‘Agate Capital Of The World’ With Cozy Charm And A State Park – Islands
