Step 1
Zoning Verification
Check the interactive map or contact Planning Services at 334-501-3040 to verify if your zoning district allows STRs.
1 day
Official resourceCross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
Short-term rentals in the City of Auburn are classified as either 'Homestays' (primary residence) or 'Short-Term Non-Primary Rentals' (STNPR). All operators must obtain a zoning permit and a city business license, and are subject to a 7% local lodging tax. STNPRs are limited to operating 240 days per calendar year, while Homestays have varying occupancy limits depending on owner presence and zoning district.
To host an Airbnb in the City of Auburn, you must first determine if your property is your primary residence ('Homestay') or an investment property ('Non-Primary'). Both require you to get a permit from the Planning Department and a business license from the Revenue Office. You must pay $105 for your first-year license, and thereafter you'll pay 1.5% of your gross rental income annually. Be aware that apartments are generally prohibited from being used as STRs, and non-primary rentals are capped at 240 nights per year. You're also required to collect and pay a 7% city lodging tax every month.
Step-by-step guide for Auburn
Check the interactive map or contact Planning Services at 334-501-3040 to verify if your zoning district allows STRs.
Submit a Home Occupation Permit application (for Homestays) or a Zoning Certificate application (for STNPR) to webplanning@auburnalabama.org.
Once planning approval is received, submit the Short-Term Rental Business Registration Form to the Revenue Office.
Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.
Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM