Is Airbnb legal in Salt Lake City, UT?
RestrictedThese rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.
Airbnb is restricted in Salt Lake City, UT
A 2026 ordinance requires a business license, a two-night minimum stay, a 200-night annual cap, and a local designee. Buildings of 10 or fewer units get one STR license; larger buildings can license up to 10 percent of units. Utah law bars a city from punishing a host solely for advertising a listing.
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
Not confirmed
Annual night cap
200 nights
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Salt Lake City
A 2026 ordinance requires a business license, a two-night minimum stay, a 200-night annual cap, and a local designee. Buildings of 10 or fewer units get one STR license; larger buildings can license up to 10 percent of units. Utah law bars a city from punishing a host solely for advertising a listing.
Non-owner investors can operate in Salt Lake City, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.
At the state level, Utah splits short-term rental authority between the state and localities.
What it means for investors
An STR can still work in Salt Lake City, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.
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 Salt Lake City?
A 2026 ordinance requires a business license, a two-night minimum stay, a 200-night annual cap, and a local designee. Buildings of 10 or fewer units get one STR license; larger buildings can license up to 10 percent of units. Utah law bars a city from punishing a host solely for advertising a listing. 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 Salt Lake City?
Yes. Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?
The owner-occupancy rule for Salt Lake City was not confirmed here. Check the ordinance before assuming a non-owner-occupied STR is allowed.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Salt Lake City?
Yes. Salt Lake City caps rentals at about 200 nights a year for the relevant category (often unhosted or non-primary stays); hosted stays are frequently uncapped. Confirm which cap applies to your setup.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Salt Lake City?
Short-term rentals in Salt Lake City 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.