What are the permit fees in Montgomery?

A separate Montgomery County lodging fee of $2.25 per room per night applies.

What should Montgomery hosts know about the 11% city tax is?

The 11% City tax is significantly higher than most other Alabama cities.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Montgomery?

A major new STR ordinance is under review (Feb 2026) and may introduce zoning caps and stricter permits soon.

What should Montgomery hosts know about montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax?

Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.

Montgomery

Permissive

AlabamaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 11, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

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

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Montgomery, you must register for a general business license and pay lodging taxes to the city, county, and state. While there is currently no special 'STR permit' or primary residence requirement, the city is in the process of creating new specific rules for 2026 that may include zoning limits and safety inspections.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A separate Montgomery County lodging fee of $2.25 per room per night applies.
2The 11% City tax is significantly higher than most other Alabama cities.
3A major new STR ordinance is under review (Feb 2026) and may introduce zoning caps and stricter permits soon.
4Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Montgomery allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
Montgomery does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Montgomery: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Montgomery: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements8 rules

Montgomery does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
Montgomery STR warning: Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.
Montgomery requires STR registration. The permit is called "Business License". Apply through License and Revenue Division. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Montgomery: Step 1: Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue - Obtain a state and local lodging tax account through My Alabama Taxes (MAT). Documents needed: Federal Employer ID or Social Security Number. Estimated time: 3-5 days. More info: https://myalabamataxes.alabama.gov/ Step 2: Apply for City Business License - Submit a business license application to the Montgomery License and Revenue Division. Select the appropriate rental property category (typically 532304). Documents needed: Business License Application, Photo ID. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.montgomeryal.gov/work/license-and-revenue Step 3: Set Up Tax Remittance - Verify if your booking platform (Airbnb/VRBO) collects and remits the 11% city tax and 4% state tax. You remain responsible for the $2.25/night county fee if not handled by the platform. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.montgomeryal.gov/work/license-and-revenue/tax-forms

Fees & costs1 rule

Montgomery charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Montgomery charges a City Lodging Tax of 0.11%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 11% city and 4% state tax; however, hosts should verify the $2.25 county room fee is handled.
Montgomery: The 11% City tax is significantly higher than most other Alabama cities.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Montgomery limits stays to a maximum of 179 nights.
Montgomery enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Montgomery: A separate Montgomery County lodging fee of $2.25 per room per night applies.
Montgomery: A major new STR ordinance is under review (Feb 2026) and may introduce zoning caps and stricter permits soon.

Safety requirements1 rule

Montgomery requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, Compliance with International Building Code 2024.

Penalties3 rules

Montgomery enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by business license delinquency. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Montgomery: Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.
Montgomery: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Montgomery

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue

Obtain a state and local lodging tax account through My Alabama Taxes (MAT).

3-5 daysFree

Documents needed

Federal Employer ID or Social Security Number

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for City Business License

Submit a business license application to the Montgomery License and Revenue Division. Select the appropriate rental property category (typically 532304).

1 week$150

Documents needed

Business License Application
Photo ID

Official resource

Step 3

Set Up Tax Remittance

Verify if your booking platform (Airbnb/VRBO) collects and remits the 11% city tax and 4% state tax. You remain responsible for the $2.25/night county fee if not handled by the platform.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

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

Montgomery

Permissive

AlabamaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 11, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

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

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A separate Montgomery County lodging fee of $2.25 per room per night applies.
2The 11% City tax is significantly higher than most other Alabama cities.
3A major new STR ordinance is under review (Feb 2026) and may introduce zoning caps and stricter permits soon.
4Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Montgomery allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
Montgomery does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Montgomery: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Montgomery: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements8 rules

Montgomery does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
Montgomery STR warning: Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.
Montgomery requires STR registration. The permit is called "Business License". Apply through License and Revenue Division. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Montgomery: Step 1: Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue - Obtain a state and local lodging tax account through My Alabama Taxes (MAT). Documents needed: Federal Employer ID or Social Security Number. Estimated time: 3-5 days. More info: https://myalabamataxes.alabama.gov/ Step 2: Apply for City Business License - Submit a business license application to the Montgomery License and Revenue Division. Select the appropriate rental property category (typically 532304). Documents needed: Business License Application, Photo ID. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.montgomeryal.gov/work/license-and-revenue Step 3: Set Up Tax Remittance - Verify if your booking platform (Airbnb/VRBO) collects and remits the 11% city tax and 4% state tax. You remain responsible for the $2.25/night county fee if not handled by the platform. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.montgomeryal.gov/work/license-and-revenue/tax-forms

Fees & costs1 rule

Montgomery charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Montgomery charges a City Lodging Tax of 0.11%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 11% city and 4% state tax; however, hosts should verify the $2.25 county room fee is handled.
Montgomery: The 11% City tax is significantly higher than most other Alabama cities.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Montgomery limits stays to a maximum of 179 nights.
Montgomery enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Montgomery: A separate Montgomery County lodging fee of $2.25 per room per night applies.
Montgomery: A major new STR ordinance is under review (Feb 2026) and may introduce zoning caps and stricter permits soon.

Safety requirements1 rule

Montgomery requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, Compliance with International Building Code 2024.

Penalties3 rules

Montgomery enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by business license delinquency. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Montgomery: Montgomery defines 'short-term' for tax purposes as stays under 180 days.
Montgomery: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Montgomery

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue

Obtain a state and local lodging tax account through My Alabama Taxes (MAT).

3-5 daysFree

Documents needed

Federal Employer ID or Social Security Number

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for City Business License

Submit a business license application to the Montgomery License and Revenue Division. Select the appropriate rental property category (typically 532304).

1 week$150

Documents needed

Business License Application
Photo ID

Official resource

Step 3

Set Up Tax Remittance

Verify if your booking platform (Airbnb/VRBO) collects and remits the 11% city tax and 4% state tax. You remain responsible for the $2.25/night county fee if not handled by the platform.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue

Apply for City Business License

Set Up Tax Remittance

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Montgomery?

3Are there rental night limits in Montgomery?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue

Apply for City Business License

Set Up Tax Remittance

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Montgomery?

3Are there rental night limits in Montgomery?

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

Disclaimer