What should South Bend hosts know about indiana state preemption: cities cannot?

Indiana State Preemption: Cities cannot ban STRs if they are the owner's primary residence.

What are the permit fees in South Bend?

The maximum permit fee the city can charge is strictly capped at $150 by state law IC 36-1-24.

What are the key requirements for South Bend hosts?

All rentals must undergo a Rental Safety Verification (RSV) inspection.

South Bend

Permissive

STRs Allowed

IndianaLast updated: February 12, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 12, 2026

Summary

South Bend requires short-term rentals to register with the city and comply with state-mandated permit fee caps and tax requirements.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $150
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

Owners must register their short-term rental with the City of South Bend and pay an annual permit fee, which is capped at $150 by Indiana state law. You must also collect and pay a 15% combined tax rate and follow local safety standards like having smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

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

Max Fine

$7,500

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•South Bend allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Duplexes, Condos, Apartments.
•South Bend: Indiana State Preemption: Cities cannot ban STRs if they are the owner's primary residence.
•South Bend allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires written owner consent and property registration.

Requirements(11)

•South Bend STR warning: Indiana State Preemption: Cities cannot ban STRs if they are the owner's primary residence.
•South Bend: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(6)

•South Bend STR permit - Step 3: Register for County Innkeeper's Tax. Ensure you are registered with the St. Joseph County Treasurer to remit the 8% innkeeper's tax if not fully handled by your platform. Required documents: Tax ID number. Time: 1 week.

Fees & Costs(1)

•South Bend charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•South Bend charges a St. Joseph County Innkeeper's Tax of 0.08%. 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 8% local tax.
•Indiana has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
•South Bend: St. Joseph County Innkeeper's Tax was recently 6% but is now 8% as of latest updates.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•South Bend enforces quiet hours: 11pm - 7am.
•South Bend limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Generally limited by bedroom count (2 per bedroom + 2)
•South Bend limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•South Bend occupancy calculation: Generally limited by bedroom count (2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(2)

•South Bend: All rentals must undergo a Rental Safety Verification (RSV) inspection.
•South Bend requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in sleeping areas, Rental Safety Verification (RSV).

Penalties(2)

•South Bend: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•South Bend enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1,000 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: 7500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

Other Indiana Markets

Bloomington

Indiana

Strict

Bloomington requires all short-term rentals to obtain a rental occupancy permit and generally mandates owner-occupancy for properties in residential zones.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Terre Haute

Indiana

Moderate

Terre Haute requires all short-term rentals to register annually with the city's rental registry and comply with safe and habitable housing standards.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Evansville

Indiana

Moderate

Evansville requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual registration from the Area Plan Commission and adhere to specific occupancy and safety standards.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Muncie

Indiana

Permissive

Muncie requires short-term rental operators to register with the Building Commissioner, obtain an annual permit, and comply with state-mandated primary residence protections.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

South Bend

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(6)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Indiana Markets

Bloomington

Terre Haute

Evansville

Muncie

South Bend

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 South Bend?

2What is the TOT tax rate in South Bend?

3Are there rental night limits in South Bend?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in South Bend?

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Other Indiana Markets

Bloomington

Terre Haute

Evansville

Muncie