This Dallas-Fort Worth suburb can limit Airbnbs and VRBOs, court rules
The city of Grapevine has prevailed in its nearly seven year legal battle over rules on short-term rentals like those listed on Airbnb and VRBO.
The city passed an ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals in 2018, however a judge temporarily blocked its enforcement after a handful of property owners challenged the ban in November 2018.
The property owners argued Grapevine’s rules violated their property rights, while the city said it had a right to regulate land use through its zoning code.
After a lengthy back-and-forth involving multiple appeals, Tarrant County Judge Megan Fahey sided with the city of Grapevine and granted a motion of summary judgment allowing the city to enforce its ban.
The Grapevine City Council passed additional rules in January 2024 to limit short-term rentals to apartment complexes with at least 50 units.
“The City of Grapevine is pleased that the Honorable Judge Fahey granted the City’s Motion for Summary Judgment in its long battle to protect the integrity of its single-family neighborhoods from the harmful impacts of short-term rentals,” said city attorney Matthew Boyle in an email to the Star-Telegram.
He went on to argue that short-term rentals don’t belong in single family neighborhoods, and that the court’s ruling validates the city’s authority to regulate land use through zoning.
Representatives for the property owners did not immediately reply to an email from the Star-Telegram requesting comment.
The decision comes roughly two weeks after a different Tarrant County court sided with the city of Fort Worth and ruled the city had the authority to regulate where short-term rentals can operate.
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