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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Arkansas
  6. ·
  7. Bentonville

Bentonville

Permissive
ArkansasUpdated Feb 17, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Bentonville currently has no specific short-term rental ordinance or permit system, though the city council has discussed potential future regulations. Hosts are permitted to operate by-right but must register for and remit the 2% Advertising and Promotion (lodging) tax to Visit Bentonville for stays under 30 days.

Restriction level

Severity 3
Classification
Permissive
3
Severity

Why this classification

  • Reporting required
  • No STR-specific permit required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Bentonville, you don't currently need a special short-term rental permit or license from the city. However, you must register with 'Visit Bentonville' to pay the 2% local lodging tax (the A&P tax). While the city is very host-friendly, you still have to follow standard rules regarding noise, parking, and trash. Be sure to check with your Homeowners Association (HOA), as they often have stricter rules than the city itself.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$0

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1No specific STR permit is currently required by the City of Bentonville.
  2. 2A 2% Advertising and Promotion tax must be collected and remitted to the A&P Commission (Visit Bentonville), not the City Finance Dept.
  3. 3Total taxes for lodging in Bentonville reach 13.5% (State 6.5%, State Tourism 2%, County 1%, City 2%, A&P 2%).
  4. 4Short-term rentals are defined as stays of less than 30 consecutive days.
  5. 5Property owners must comply with general nuisance codes for parking and noise; there is no 'relaxed' enforcement for rentals.
  6. 6Always verify if your property is within incorporated city limits; unincorporated Benton County has different rules.
  7. 7HOA covenants are the primary source of STR bans in Bentonville and are strictly enforceable.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility4 rules
  • Bentonville does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Bentonville: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Bentonville allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums, Apartments.
Requirements14 rules
  • Bentonville STR warning: A 2% Advertising and Promotion tax must be collected and remitted to the A&P Commission (Visit Bentonville), not the City Finance Dept.
  • Bentonville does not require STR registration.
  • Bentonville: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Application process6 rules
  • Bentonville STR permit - Step 2: Business License Inquiry. Contact the Bentonville Finance Department to confirm if a standard business license is required for your specific property type or business structure. Time: Varies.
Taxes4 rules
  • Bentonville charges a Advertising and Promotion Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state and local taxes in Arkansas, but hosts must verify their account is configured to remit the 2% A&P tax directly to the Commission if not handled by the platform.
Limits & restrictions3 rules
  • Bentonville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Bentonville: Always verify if your property is within incorporated city limits; unincorporated Benton County has different rules.
  • Bentonville enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (General City Ordinance).
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Bentonville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors.
Penalties3 rules
  • Bentonville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation (noise/trash). Criminal penalties may apply.
  • Bentonville: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
  • Bentonville: Short-term rentals are defined as stays of less than 30 consecutive days.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Bentonville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Bentonville exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bentonville

0/2
steps completed
Step 1

A&P Tax Registration

Download and complete the Business Information Form from Visit Bentonville and submit to receive an account number for tax remittance.

1-3 daysFree
Documents needed
  • Business Information Form
Official resource
Step 2

Business License Inquiry

Contact the Bentonville Finance Department to confirm if a standard business license is required for your specific property type or business structure.

Varies
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

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