What should Mobile hosts know about the total tax rate is?

The total tax rate is high at 16%, and a city tax increase from 8% to 10% takes effect June 1, 2025.

What should Mobile hosts know about a separate business license is?

A separate business license is required for every individual short-term rental property you own.

What are the key requirements for Mobile hosts?

You must post the name and phone number of a local 24/7 responsible party inside the unit.

What violations should Mobile hosts avoid?

Business licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed by January 31 to avoid a 15% penalty.

Mobile, AL Short-Term Rental Regulations & Requirements

Baseline Verification

100%

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Verified: Feb 11, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Mobile require a city business license, zoning clearance, and a notarized safety affidavit, with total lodging taxes reaching 16% as of June 2025.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $150
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To legally operate an Airbnb in Mobile, you must obtain a city business license and clear a zoning check to ensure your property is in an allowed district. You are required to install specific safety equipment like smoke and CO detectors and sign a notarized affidavit proving compliance. You must also collect and pay lodging taxes to the city, county, and state.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Mobile allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires written lease agreement granting permission from property owner.
•Mobile: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Mobile allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment, Manufactured Home.

Requirements(12)

•Mobile: Tenants CAN host STRs but must get written landlord approval first. Keep documentation.
•Mobile: You must post the name and phone number of a local 24/7 responsible party inside the unit.
•Mobile STR warning: Business licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed by January 31 to avoid a 15% penalty.

Application Process(9)

•How to set up an STR in Mobile: To legally operate an Airbnb in Mobile, you must obtain a city business license and clear a zoning check to ensure your property is in an allowed district. You are required to install specific safety equipment like smoke and CO detectors and sign a notarized affidavit proving compliance. You must also collect and pay lodging taxes to the city, county, and state.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Mobile charges a registration fee of $150 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $0.003259 (Initial fee plus 0.003259 of gross receipts; $100 minimum annual fee may apply.).

Taxes(3)

•Mobile charges a Lodging Tax of 0.1%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb remits the City Lodging Tax directly to Mobile for most listings.
•Alabama has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.
•Mobile: The total tax rate is high at 16%, and a city tax increase from 8% to 10% takes effect June 1, 2025.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Mobile occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Mobile limits stays to a maximum of 179 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Mobile requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, One fire extinguisher per floor, Detectors in each sleeping room and hallway, Local contact name and phone number posted inside.

Penalties(3)

•Mobile: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Mobile enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 fine. Second offense: Increased fines and potential license revocation. Daily fine: $100 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Mobile exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Mobile: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other Alabama Markets

Baldwin County

Alabama

Permissive

Unincorporated Baldwin County does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit or restrictive ordinance. Hosts are primarily governed by the Alabama Lodging Tax (7% total for most unincorporated areas) and must ensure their property is not within an incorporated city with its own rules.

0.1% total tax

Huntsville

Alabama

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Huntsville are regulated as motels under the city's zoning code and are generally prohibited in most residential districts. To operate legally, hosts must secure zoning approval, obtain a city business license, and remit a 9% lodging tax plus a $2 per room, per night surcharge.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Montgomery

Alabama

Permissive

Montgomery requires short-term rental operators to obtain a standard city business license and remit state, city, and county lodging taxes, though a dedicated STR ordinance is currently under development.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Auburn

Alabama

Moderate

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.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.1% total tax

Mobile

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Alabama Markets

Baldwin County

Huntsville

Montgomery

Auburn

Mobile

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mobile?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Mobile?

3Are there rental night limits in Mobile?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Mobile?

Related Content

Other Alabama Markets

Baldwin County

Huntsville

Montgomery

Auburn