Are there rental limits in Ames?

90-day annual limit applies to unhosted rentals of primary residences (Home Share).

What are the permit fees in Ames?

Non-primary residences MUST follow full Rental Housing Code (Chapter 13), which includes annual fees and stricter inspections.

Are there rental limits in Ames?

Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom.

What are the key requirements for Ames hosts?

A physical registry of all guests must be maintained for at least one year and available for city inspection.

Ames, IA Short-Term Rental Regulations: A Complete Guide

Baseline Verification

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Verified: Feb 6, 2026

Summary

Ames regulates short-term rentals as 'Guest Lodging,' requiring mandatory registration and distinguishing between owner-occupied 'Home Shares' and non-primary 'Vacation Lodging.'

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 33 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

If you live in your home and want to rent it out, you can register as a 'Home Share,' which has no fee but limits unhosted rentals to 90 days per year. If the property is not your primary residence, it must be registered as a standard rental property and meet all city housing codes, including fire inspections. All hosts must maintain a guest registry and pay a 10% total lodging tax.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

Max Fine

$1,000

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Ames: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Ames does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Ames does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Ames: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Ames STR warning: A physical registry of all guests must be maintained for at least one year and available for city inspection.
•Ames STR warning: 90-day annual limit applies to unhosted rentals of primary residences (Home Share).
•Ames: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Ames: Step 1: Determine Eligibility and Type - Decide if you will register under Chapter 35 (Guest Lodging) for primary residences or Chapter 13 (Rental Housing) for non-primary residences. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/inspections/rental-housing-registration-application Step 2: Submit Application - Complete the Guest Lodging Short-Term Rental Registration form or Rental Housing Registration Form. Documents needed: Proof of primary residence (if applicable), Proof of insurance. Estimated time: 5 business days. More info: https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/inspections/rental-housing-registration-application Step 3: Pass Fire Safety Inspection - A city inspector will visit the property to ensure compliance with smoke detectors, egress, and general safety codes. Documents needed: Self-inspection checklist. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 53.55. More info: https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/inspections/rental-housing-registration-application Step 4: Receive License and Post - Once approved, receive your permit and post it in a prominent location inside the dwelling near the front door. Estimated time: 3 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Ames: Non-primary residences MUST follow full Rental Housing Code (Chapter 13), which includes annual fees and stricter inspections.

Taxes(2)

•Iowa has a state sales tax of 0.05% that applies to STR rentals.
•Ames charges a Local Hotel and Motel Tax of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit both state excise and local hotel/motel taxes for Iowa listings.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Ames limits stays to a maximum of 31 nights.
•Ames: 90-day annual limit applies to unhosted rentals of primary residences (Home Share).
•Ames limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 adults per approved bedroom
•Ames occupancy calculation: 2 adults per approved bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Ames requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Handrails on stairs, Functioning emergency lighting (in common areas of multi-unit), Hard-wired smoke detectors in new or converted units.

Penalties(2)

•Ames enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Municipal Infraction. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Legal action. Daily fine: $750 per day. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Ames: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Ames: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Ames: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.

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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.

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Ames

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(11)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Ames

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ames?

3Are there rental night limits in Ames?

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

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