How to Find Location Regulations for Short Term Rentals

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How to Find Location Regulations for Short Term Rentals

Kyle Udall
Nampa, ID · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 7 votes

Hey Everyone! What is the easiest and best way to figure out if a city, neighborhood, etc. allow for short term rentals? I don't want to make a purchase without making sure its allowed. 

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Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y

County/city will have it on a website just google it 

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kyle Udall:

    Hey Everyone! What is the easiest and best way to figure out if a city, neighborhood, etc. allow for short term rentals? I don't want to make a purchase without making sure its allowed. 


     Call the county and ask.

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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    County/city will have it on a website just google it 

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
    1Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y

    Search 'city name - vacation rental regulations'

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    I think you get the idea @Kyle Udall. Call and search the web.

    I wish I could keep upvoting everyone. I am out of votes...dangnabbit...

    1Reply
  • Leslie Anne Morris
    Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    3y

    STR Insights is built for this! Check it out

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  • Kyle Udall
    OP
    Nampa, ID · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 7 votes
    3y

    Thank you all! Super helpful. Love this network

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  • Dan Maciejewski
    Realtor · PInellas County Largo, FL · Member since 2016 · 902 posts · 810 votes
    3y

    You can call but they don't always give the right answer.  You never want to be in a, "Betty told me it was good on the phone" situation!

    Almost every city will have a code of ordinances on Municode.  Google "cityname" municode and that should get you there.  Then use the search for terms like transient rental, vacation rental, short term rental, etc. . . 

    Keep in mind that most states allow municipalities to change regulations, so also look for news about meetings and see which way the wind is blowing in that area!  Thankfully Florida preempted all city and county regulation, so nobody's getting any stricter than they already are around here!

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  • January Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Emerald Coast, FL · Member since 2016 · 820 posts · 486 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Dan Maciejewski:

    You can call but they don't always give the right answer.  You never want to be in a, "Betty told me it was good on the phone" situation!

    Almost every city will have a code of ordinances on Municode.  Google "cityname" municode and that should get you there.  Then use the search for terms like transient rental, vacation rental, short term rental, etc. . . 

    Keep in mind that most states allow municipalities to change regulations, so also look for news about meetings and see which way the wind is blowing in that area!  Thankfully Florida preempted all city and county regulation, so nobody's getting any stricter than they already are around here!


    This is SO TRUE!  If you call our county code enforcement or planning division, you will likely get "STRs not zoned in ____ neighborhood", but this is WRONG WRONG WRONG!  

    A good local realtor will also be able to tell you if a city or neighborhood is STR-friendly. For example, I have a hand-drawn map that I apply to all client MLS searches that filter out the NON-STRable neighborhoods. But working with STR investors is ALL I do, so I know my market super well.

    You didn't mention what market(s) you are looking in.  Let me know if you're interested in the Emerald Coast of Florida, and I can give more insight about neighborhoods.

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  • Jared HottleBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Cedar falls IA Waterloo, IA · Member since 2020 · 902 posts · 549 votes
    3y

    Call city planning and zoning department. Also something an investor-minded rock star agent in the area can help you with. 

    [email protected]319-288-5382
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  • Brooklyn McCarty
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
    3y

    Call or visit city planning, use Google! 

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