A chaotic party at a short-term rental in West Dallas on Saturday night has reignited debates about the operation of such businesses in residential neighborhoods.
The party, which saw a large number of guests streaming in and out of a house on Ivanhoe Lane, has intensified calls for stricter controls on short-term rental properties, with a special focus on Airbnbs.
Dallas police intervened at the scene around 10:40 p.m., but no arrests were made, and no offenses were reported, according to Fox 4 KDFW. A neighbor, Jason Wanderscheid, recorded video footage of the large gathering and described the scene as “like a nightclub.”
He expressed frustration over repeated disturbances since the property became a short-term rental in June 2023.
Airbnb has since removed the listing for the property and claimed that Saturday’s party was not booked through its platform. However, the homeowner, who declined to disclose which booking platform was used, expressed frustration over the situation.
“I’m frustrated that someone collected money without my consent, let people come into my house, and turned it into a club. I didn’t consent to that,” the unnamed homeowner told Fox 4.
The topic of short-term rentals has been a contentious issue in Dallas.
An ordinance banning such rentals in single-family neighborhoods is currently on hold due to a legal challenge. Dallas City Council Member Omar Narvaez (District 6), who represents the neighborhood where the recent raucous party was held, has been a proponent of the ordinance, which aimed to curb disturbances caused by short-term rental guests.
In June 2023, the Dallas City Council enacted the ban, giving operators six months to either comply with the new regulations or cease operations, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
In October of 2023, the Dallas Short Term Rental Alliance filed a lawsuit against the City. By December, a court issued an injunction permitting short-term rentals to continue operating in single-family residential zones. Dallas subsequently appealed the decision in January.
Other cities near Dallas also seem to be having issues with short-term rental platforms.
As DX previously reported, in April, the Plano City Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of short-term rentals in single-family residential areas. The measure replaced a temporary ruling on new short-term rentals that was put in place in May 2023.
Under the ordinance, existing short-term rentals in Plano will be permitted to continue operating. However, any new short-term rental properties must be located in commercial zones where hotels are authorized.
The Plano ordinance passed with a 7-0 vote following public expressions of support from 45 residents who spoke in favor of the ban.