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

**Yes**, Boise requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual Short-Term Rental License. You need to apply for this license, and it costs $80 annually. Additionally, you must adhere to safety standards and post a 24/7 local contact. Operating without a license can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Boise, ID?

**13% total tax** is the rate for short-term rentals in Boise. This consists of state sales tax, state travel tax, auditorium district tax, and a 4% Boise municipal room tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting these taxes. Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Boise?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Boise, ID, provided that operators obtain the required license and comply with all local regulations. This includes adhering to safety standards, posting a 24/7 local contact, and collecting and remitting all applicable taxes. Failure to comply could result in penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Boise?

**$80** is the cost of the annual Short-Term Rental License required to operate a short-term rental in Boise. This fee allows operators to legally rent their properties for stays under 30 days, provided they meet all other requirements, such as posting a local contact and adhering to safety standards.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Boise?

**Yes**, tenants in Boise are allowed to host on Airbnb, provided they obtain the necessary Short-Term Rental License and comply with all city regulations. This includes adhering to safety standards, posting a 24/7 local contact, and collecting and remitting all applicable taxes. Landlord approval might also be required.

Boise

Moderate

IdahoUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Boise requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual license and adhere to safety standards, including the posting of a 24/7 local contact. Hosts are subject to a 13% total tax rate, consisting of state sales tax, state travel tax, auditorium district tax, and a 4% Boise municipal room tax.

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Boise, you must apply for a City Short-Term Rental License which costs $80 per year. You don't have to live in the home to rent it out, but you must provide the city with a local contact person who can respond to issues within 2 hours. You'll need to collect a total of 13% in taxes from guests, though platforms like Airbnb may handle some of this for you. Don't forget to post your permit number on your listing and have working smoke and CO detectors in every bedroom.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$80

Processing time7-14 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Boise is NOT Ada County; if your property is in an unincorporated area like Hidden Springs, these rules do not apply.
2A local emergency contact who can respond 24/7 is mandatory.
3You must post a physical notice on the exterior of the home with your permit number and emergency contact.
4The 4% Municipal Room Tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually by the host.
5ADUs (Guest houses) are allowed for STR use as long as they meet standard building codes.
6Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests without a special conditional use permit.
7The permit must be renewed annually or it will expire automatically.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Boise does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Boise: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Boise allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Townhome, Condominium, Apartment, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Requirements20 rules

Boise STR warning: The permit must be renewed annually or it will expire automatically.
Boise STR warning: A local emergency contact who can respond 24/7 is mandatory.
Boise requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through City Clerk's Office. Processing time: 7-14 business days. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Boise: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of ownership, Site plan/Floor plan, Local property manager contact information, Proof of Insurance, Sales tax permit number.
Boise STR permit - Step 1: Obtain State Tax Permits. Register for an Idaho Seller's Permit and a Travel and Convention Tax account through the Idaho State Tax Commission. Time: 5-10 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Boise charges a registration fee of $80 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Idaho has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.
Boise: The 4% Municipal Room Tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually by the host.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Boise occupancy calculation: Standard max 10; larger groups require conditional use permit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boise, ID occupancy calculation: Standard max 10; larger groups require conditional use permit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boise limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Boise enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Boise requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, External sign identifying the property as a short-term rental with 24/7 contact info, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms.

Penalties5 rules

Boise: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Boise, ID: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Boise, ID: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions4 rules

Boise, ID: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Boise: Boise is NOT Ada County; if your property is in an unincorporated area like Hidden Springs, these rules do not apply.

Frequently asked questions

5 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

Boise

Moderate

IdahoUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

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$80

Processing time7-14 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Boise is NOT Ada County; if your property is in an unincorporated area like Hidden Springs, these rules do not apply.
2A local emergency contact who can respond 24/7 is mandatory.
3You must post a physical notice on the exterior of the home with your permit number and emergency contact.
4The 4% Municipal Room Tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually by the host.
5ADUs (Guest houses) are allowed for STR use as long as they meet standard building codes.
6Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests without a special conditional use permit.
7The permit must be renewed annually or it will expire automatically.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Boise does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Boise: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Boise allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Townhome, Condominium, Apartment, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Requirements20 rules

Boise STR warning: The permit must be renewed annually or it will expire automatically.
Boise STR warning: A local emergency contact who can respond 24/7 is mandatory.
Boise requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through City Clerk's Office. Processing time: 7-14 business days. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Boise: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of ownership, Site plan/Floor plan, Local property manager contact information, Proof of Insurance, Sales tax permit number.
Boise STR permit - Step 1: Obtain State Tax Permits. Register for an Idaho Seller's Permit and a Travel and Convention Tax account through the Idaho State Tax Commission. Time: 5-10 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Boise charges a registration fee of $80 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Idaho has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.
Boise: The 4% Municipal Room Tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually by the host.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Boise occupancy calculation: Standard max 10; larger groups require conditional use permit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boise, ID occupancy calculation: Standard max 10; larger groups require conditional use permit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boise limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Boise enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Boise requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, External sign identifying the property as a short-term rental with 24/7 contact info, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms.

Penalties5 rules

Boise: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Boise, ID: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Boise, ID: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions4 rules

Boise, ID: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Boise: Boise is NOT Ada County; if your property is in an unincorporated area like Hidden Springs, these rules do not apply.

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Boise, ID?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Boise?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Boise?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Boise?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Boise, ID?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Boise?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Boise?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Boise?

Disclaimer