Dallas Planning Commission approves short‑term rental at 1620 Southeast Barbary Avenue

The Dallas Planning Commission unanimously approved Conditional Use Permit 2503 on April 10 to allow a short‑term vacation rental at 1620 Southeast Barbary Avenue.

The commission’s action follows a staff recommendation that the application meet the applicable approval criteria in the Dallas Development Code. “Staff conclude that the applicable approval criteria are met,” Chase, planning staff, told the commission during the hearing. The approval includes five conditions: compliance with building and fire code requirements, payment of the transient lodging tax, adherence to the city’s occupancy limits, and designation of a local representative to manage the rental; the first four are standard for similar permits, staff said.

Chase told commissioners the property is a townhouse structure with separate legal lots for each unit, and that the code does not prohibit short‑term rentals in that building type. The applicant was not present at the hearing; the chair noted a “personal emergency” prevented attendance. No members of the public testified on the item.

Commission discussion centered on the requirement that the applicant designate a local representative who permanently resides within the Dallas urban growth boundary and can respond to on‑site issues. Chase said the code allows either a neighbor, a professional property manager or another designated local representative so long as that person can respond promptly to problems. “The representative … permanently resides within the Dallas urban growth boundary,” Chase said.

Commissioner Mary Banford moved to approve the permit with the conditions outlined in the staff report; Commissioner Schulte seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve. An order reflecting the decision will be mailed to the applicant and participants of record within 10 business days.

The commission’s decision is final unless appealed to the State Land Use Board of Appeals.