Lower courts have upheld a court order blocking the city from enforcing a ban on short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO.

DALLAS — The City of Dallas has requested the Supreme Court of Texas intervene after lower courts blocked enforcement of an ordinance that would ban most short-term rentals, like Airbnb and VRBO, in the city, in hopes of being able to enforce the ban ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a filing shows. 

The fight over short-term rentals in Dallas goes back to 2023, when the Dallas City Council passed an ordinance to ban short-term rentals from areas with single-family zoning. 

The Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance sued the City after the ordinance was passed, arguing the ordinance was unconstitutional and seeking a court order blocking the city from enforcing the ban, which the trial court later granted. The City appealed, with the appeals court upholding a lower court’s decision blocking enforcement of the ban in February of this year. The case has continued to work its way through the courts, culminating in the City’s filing last week, asking the Supreme Court of Texas to review the case.

“Time is of the essence,” the city argued in the filing. “The world will soon converge upon Dallas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. STRs will be in high demand. And with the ordinances erroneously enjoined, it will be more difficult for the City to proactively ensure the health, safety and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”  

Lisa Sievers, a member of the Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance, told the Dallas Observer that the organization is “preparing for this new challenge,” following the city’s filing. 

Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will serve as the host of FIFA’s International Broadcast Center (IBC) for the 2026 World Cup. AT&T Stadium in Arlington will also host nine matches.