Is Airbnb legal in Provo, UT?

Banned

Airbnb is largely banned in Provo, UT

Provo prohibits short-term rentals in every agricultural and residential zone, regardless of owner-occupancy, allowing them only in a short list of commercial and downtown zones with a license. Renting a dwelling more than once in a 30-day period is treated as evidence of STR use.

Provo City Code Ch. 6.33View the ordinance

Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.

Key rules at a glance

Permit or registration

Required

Primary residence only

No

Annual night cap

Not confirmed

Registration fee

$125

How short-term rentals work in Provo

The first step in Provo is the city's permit or registration process, with a fee of about $125. The status card above has the full detail on the current rules.

Short-term rentals are largely off the table in Provo. The market is effectively closed to new operators.

At the state level, Utah splits short-term rental authority between the state and localities.

What it means for investors

Provo is a tough market for a non-owner-occupied short-term rental. If you own or want to buy here, a long-term rental or a house-hack (living in the property while renting part of it) is usually the more realistic play.

Analyze a rental hereCheck long-term rent

Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Utah

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in Provo?

Provo prohibits short-term rentals in every agricultural and residential zone, regardless of owner-occupancy, allowing them only in a short list of commercial and downtown zones with a license. Renting a dwelling more than once in a 30-day period is treated as evidence of STR use. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Provo?

Yes. Provo requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.

Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Provo?

Yes, Provo does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.

Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Provo?

No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Provo, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.

What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Provo?

Short-term rentals in Provo are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Utah and the city.