STR laws vary by state, county, and city. This guide covers the 20 most active short-term rental markets and what they require for insurance and compliance.
Operating without the right permits or coverage can mean fines, forced shutdowns, or personal liability. And regulations are changing fast — over 200 U.S. cities updated their STR rules in the last 2 years.
A snapshot of the top 20 STR markets. Regulations change frequently — contact us for the latest requirements in your area.
Regulations vary widely by city. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego each have distinct permitting and occupancy rules.
State-level licensing through DBPR required for all vacation rentals. Local taxes and safety inspections apply.
No state-level STR regulation. Cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas have their own permit systems.
Denver requires licenses. Mountain towns like Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs have cap systems and insurance mandates.
Strict zoning laws. Many areas prohibit STRs entirely. Maui County and Honolulu have aggressive enforcement.
Nashville requires permits with a 3% cap in some zones. State law allows cities to regulate STRs.
State law prohibits outright STR bans but allows cities to regulate safety, noise, and insurance requirements.
NYC requires registration and limits rentals under 30 days when the host is not present. Significant fines for violations.
Portland limits STRs to primary residences with a 95-night annual cap. Other cities have their own rules.
Seattle limits STRs to primary residences. Other jurisdictions vary. State collects lodging taxes.
Savannah has a strict permit system with zone limitations. Atlanta requires registration and hotel/motel tax collection.
Charleston requires business licenses and limits STRs in some zones. Beach communities have their own rules.
Outer Banks and Asheville are major markets with local regulations. State collects occupancy tax.
Clark County (Las Vegas) requires permits, insurance, and a 30-day minimum in many zones. Other areas are less regulated.
New Orleans has one of the most detailed STR regulatory frameworks in the country, including insurance and occupancy limits.
Popular resort areas like Big Sky and Whitefish are adopting permit systems. State has limited regulation.
Park City has strict STR regulations with zone caps and permit requirements. Salt Lake City has lighter rules.
State allows localities to regulate. Virginia Beach, Arlington, and Richmond each have distinct approaches.
Traverse City and other lake communities are increasingly regulating STRs. State passed enabling legislation in 2024.
State requires registration and a community impact fee. Cape Cod towns have additional local rules.
More cities are requiring proof of commercial insurance as a condition of permitting. Here's what that typically looks like.
No. Insurance requirements vary by state and often by city or county. Some jurisdictions mandate specific liability limits (like New Orleans, which requires $1M), while others have no insurance requirement at all. Even where it's not legally required, carrying coverage is standard practice for professional property managers.
Most regulations that mandate insurance specify commercial general liability coverage with minimum per-occurrence limits, typically between $300,000 and $1,000,000. Some also require proof of property damage coverage or business interruption insurance.
Check your city or county's planning and zoning department. Regulations change frequently — what was allowed last year may require a permit now. We track regulatory changes across all 50 states and can help you understand what's required for your specific properties.
Yes. We generate COIs that meet the specific requirements of your jurisdiction, including named additional insureds, minimum coverage limits, and endorsements. If a city requires proof of $1M liability coverage, your Velaris COI will reflect that.
You'll need to comply with the new rules, which may mean obtaining a permit, increasing your coverage limits, or adjusting your operations. We monitor regulatory changes and notify you when something affects your portfolio.
We track STR regulations across all 50 states and can help you understand what's required for your portfolio.
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