The city of McKinney now requires all short-term rental properties within city limits to register annually. The registration is intended to help the city track the location, ownership, management and emergency contact information for each property.
The ordinance, approved by city council on March 3, defines short-term rentals as any house, apartment, room or dwelling available for rent for 30 days or less through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
How To Register
Property owners can complete registration online using the Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal by searching for “Short-term rental” and following the application steps. For those who prefer in-person assistance, the Development Services office on the second floor of city hall at 401 E. Virginia St. is available.
Not every rental property falls under the new requirements. Exempt properties include:
- Long-term residential leases
- Apartment complexes renting standard units
- Hotels or motels
- Licensed bed and breakfasts
Each rental unit must be registered separately, and owners are required to provide a responsible contact who can be reached 24 hours a day. Registration is free and does not override HOA rules or deed restrictions, nor does it prohibit STRs altogether.
Lessons From Nearby Plano
Plano has already navigated the challenges posed by the rentals. Since 2024, the city has restricted new STRs in single-family neighborhoods while allowing existing rentals to continue if registered and compliant with safety standards. New short-term rentals are only permitted in certain commercial or multi-family zones…