Are there rental limits in Valparaiso?

A 2-night minimum stay is mandatory for all short-term rentals in Valparaiso.

What are the permit fees in Valparaiso?

State law (IC 36-1-24) caps the initial permit fee at $150.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Valparaiso?

Non-owner occupied properties in residential zones may require a special exception or variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

What are the permit fees in Valparaiso?

Annual renewal is required, even if the fee is waived.

Valparaiso, IN Short-Term Rental Regulations and Permit Req…

Summary

Valparaiso requires an annual short-term rental permit, a two-night minimum stay, and compliance with state-level retail merchant registration.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 11 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

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

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Valparaiso, you must obtain a city permit and a state-issued Retail Merchant Certificate. The city requires a minimum stay of two nights for all guests and mandates that the property owner's contact information be clearly displayed. Under Indiana law, owner-occupied rentals are generally protected, but non-owner occupied rentals may face additional zoning requirements.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

•Valparaiso: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Valparaiso does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Valparaiso allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multi-family unit, Condominium, Detached Accessory Structure.

Requirements(11)

•Valparaiso requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Building Department. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.
•Valparaiso STR warning: A 2-night minimum stay is mandatory for all short-term rentals in Valparaiso.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Valparaiso: Step 1: Register with Indiana Department of Revenue - Obtain a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC) to legally collect and remit state and local taxes. Documents needed: Business Entity Info, FEIN or SSN. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 25. More info: https://www.in.gov/dor/business-tax/registered-retail-merchant-certificate/ Step 2: Apply for City STR Permit - Submit the short-term rental permit application to the Valparaiso Building Department including proof of ownership and floor plans. Documents needed: Proof of Ownership, Floor Plan, RRMC from Step 1. Estimated time: 2-3 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.valparaiso.in.us/166/Permits Step 3: Safety Inspection - Schedule and pass a building safety inspection to ensure compliance with smoke detector and fire safety requirements. Estimated time: 1 week. Step 4: Post Contact Information - Display owner or local property manager contact information clearly within the rental unit as required by ordinance. Estimated time: 1 day.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Valparaiso: Annual renewal is required, even if the fee is waived.
•Valparaiso charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time).

Taxes(2)

•Valparaiso charges a Porter County Innkeeper's Tax of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo generally collect and remit the 7% state tax and 5% county innkeeper's tax in Indiana.
•Indiana has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Valparaiso occupancy calculation: Commonly 2 per bedroom + 2 per fire code guidelines. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Valparaiso requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
•Valparaiso limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Valparaiso enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.
•Valparaiso: A 2-night minimum stay is mandatory for all short-term rentals in Valparaiso.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Valparaiso requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Properties must comply with general building and safety codes, Police must have access to contact information upon request.

Penalties(2)

•Valparaiso enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Class C Infraction. Second offense: Permit Revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Valparaiso: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

Valparaiso

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(4)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Valparaiso

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Valparaiso?

3Are there rental night limits in Valparaiso?

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

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