Is Airbnb legal in my city?

Short-term rental rules are set city by city and change often. Find whether Airbnb and VRBO are allowed where you invest, what permits and night caps apply, and a link to the actual ordinance. Always confirm the current rules with the city before you list.

For detailed permit, tax and purchase decisions, read the updated South Dakota, Montana, Tennessee and Maine host guides and free worksheets.

For health licensing, residency and buyer checks, use the detailed Wisconsin, Hawaii, New Hampshire and Vermont host guides. Each separates local permission from booking-tax collection.

For a property that changes hands or booking channels, compare Connecticut town permits, North Dakota city and health licensing, Rhode Island registration and 2026 taxes, and Utah zoning and license limits. Their buyer and collector worksheets keep those decisions separate.

How to read this directory

Allowed broadly permittedRestricted permitted with material limitsBanned largely prohibited

US short-term rental rules are splitting in two directions. Many large cities have tightened sharply, with primary-residence requirements, night caps, license lotteries, and aggressive enforcement. At the same time, several states now preempt local bans to protect hosts. Courts are often the deciding factor, so a city’s status can change with a single ruling. Each city page links to the actual ordinance and shows when we last verified it.

Cities

DC and neighboring states: property checks and worksheets

Compare Maryland’s safety and licensing layers, Virginia’s local operating limits, DC’s primary-home and night rules, and West Virginia’s approval and tax records. Each guide includes official sources and a free planning worksheet.

Planning a new rental? Use the sourced Minnesota approval map, Mississippi booking-tax ledger, North Carolina buyer’s booking timeline, and Oklahoma property screen to resolve local eligibility and collection responsibilities before estimating returns.

Browse by state

Every state page covers the state’s short-term rental posture and its major cities.

Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.