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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Idaho
  6. ·
  7. Moscow

Moscow

Permissive
IdahoUpdated Apr 12, 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

Moscow requires a short-term rental permit and annual safety inspections, with fees varying based on owner-occupancy status.

Restriction level

Severity 0
Classification
Permissive
0
Severity

Why this classification

  • Standard permit fee: $228
  • 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 Moscow, you must apply for an annual permit and pass a fire safety inspection. The city charges higher fees for properties that are not the owner's primary residence and limits occupancy for standard rentals to fewer than 12 guests.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$228
Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Non-Owner Occupied units in residential zones have a higher annual renewal fee ($170.50 vs $114).
  2. 2Minimum 2-night stay requirement is typically enforced in residential zones.
  3. 3Maximum occupancy for standard permits is strictly capped at under 12 guests.
  4. 4Permits expire every year on December 31 and are not prorated.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility4 rules
  • Moscow does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Moscow allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multi-Family, Condo, Townhouse.
  • Moscow: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Moscow: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Requirements11 rules
  • Moscow STR warning: Non-Owner Occupied units in residential zones have a higher annual renewal fee ($170.50 vs $114).
  • Moscow STR warning: Permits expire every year on December 31 and are not prorated.
  • Moscow requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Proof of commercial liability insurance for STR use required during application.
Application process8 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Moscow: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Ownership - Ensure the property is located in an allowed zone and check for any HOA restrictions that might prohibit short-term rentals. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/215/Maps Step 2: Prepare Documentation - Create a site plan showing parking spaces and a floor plan showing all rooms, exits, and safety equipment locations. Documents needed: Site Plan, Floor Plan, Insurance Policy. Estimated time: 3-5 days. Step 3: Submit Permit Application - Apply through the Moscow Community Development department and pay the applicable initial fee ($170.50 - $228). Documents needed: STR Application, Local Contact Info. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 228. More info: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/209/Forms-Applications Step 4: Pass Safety Inspection - Schedule and pass a fire and life safety inspection conducted by the Moscow Fire Department and Code Enforcement. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks.
Fees & costs2 rules
  • Moscow: Non-Owner Occupied units in residential zones have a higher annual renewal fee ($170.50 vs $114).
  • Moscow charges a registration fee of $228 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $170.5 (Initial fee for Non-Owner Occupied is $228; Owner Occupied initial fee is $170.50.).
Taxes2 rules
  • Moscow charges a Idaho Travel and Convention Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 6% State Sales Tax and 2% Travel & Convention Tax.
  • Idaho has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions7 rules
  • Moscow occupancy calculation: Standard STRs must have fewer than 12 guests.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Moscow enforces quiet hours: 10pm-8am.
  • Moscow: Minimum 2-night stay requirement is typically enforced in residential zones.
  • Moscow limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Moscow: Maximum occupancy for standard permits is strictly capped at under 12 guests.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Moscow requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window compliance, Visible address signage, Emergency exit plan.
Penalties2 rules
  • Moscow: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Moscow enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $110 fine. Second offense: Increased fines and potential permit suspension. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: 110. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Moscow exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Traditional Bed and Breakfasts licensed under separate code.
  • Moscow: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Moscow

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Ensure the property is located in an allowed zone and check for any HOA restrictions that might prohibit short-term rentals.

1 dayFree
Official resource
Step 2

Prepare Documentation

Create a site plan showing parking spaces and a floor plan showing all rooms, exits, and safety equipment locations.

3-5 daysFree
Documents needed
  • Site Plan
  • Floor Plan
  • Insurance Policy
Step 3

Submit Permit Application

Apply through the Moscow Community Development department and pay the applicable initial fee ($170.50 - $228).

1 week$228
Documents needed
  • STR Application
  • Local Contact Info
Official resource
Step 4

Pass Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a fire and life safety inspection conducted by the Moscow Fire Department and Code Enforcement.

1-2 weeksFree

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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