What are the key requirements for Terre Haute hosts?

ADU Restriction: If your STR is an Accessory Dwelling Unit, you must live on the property for at least 8 months of the year.

What are the permit fees in Terre Haute?

Strict Deadline: The $5 registration fee and form are due by January 31st every year to avoid penalties.

What should Terre Haute hosts know about high fines: operating an unregistered?

High Fines: Operating an unregistered rental can lead to fines starting at $500 per day.

What should Terre Haute hosts know about state preemption: indiana law (hea?

State Preemption: Indiana law (HEA 1035) prevents the city from banning STRs, but this registry is their primary method of enforcement.

Terre Haute

Moderate

IndianaUpdated Apr 3, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

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

If you host an Airbnb or short-term rental in Terre Haute, you must register your property with the city's Engineering Department every year. There is a small $5 annual fee due by January 31, and your property must meet basic safety standards like working smoke detectors and safe electrical systems. While routine inspections are not required for registration, the city may inspect your unit if a complaint is filed or a safety issue is reported.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$5

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$2,500

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1ADU Restriction: If your STR is an Accessory Dwelling Unit, you must live on the property for at least 8 months of the year.
2Strict Deadline: The $5 registration fee and form are due by January 31st every year to avoid penalties.
3High Fines: Operating an unregistered rental can lead to fines starting at $500 per day.
4State Preemption: Indiana law (HEA 1035) prevents the city from banning STRs, but this registry is their primary method of enforcement.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Terre Haute allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: The ordinance applies to the 'Owner' or 'Responsible Party'; tenants hosting would generally need owner consent and must ensure the unit is registered.
Terre Haute: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements11 rules

Terre Haute does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
Terre Haute requires STR registration. The permit is called "Rental Registration Permit". Apply through Department of Engineering. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process7 rules

Terre Haute STR permit - Step 4: Ensure Safety Compliance. Self-inspect the property to ensure it meets 'Safe and Habitable' standards (working smoke/CO detectors, no major electrical hazards) for potential future inspections. Time: Ongoing.

Fees & costs2 rules

Terre Haute charges a registration fee of $5 (annual).
Terre Haute: Strict Deadline: The $5 registration fee and form are due by January 31st every year to avoid penalties.

Taxes2 rules

Indiana has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
Terre Haute charges a Vigo 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 typically collect and remit both the State Sales Tax and the County Innkeeper's Tax in Indiana.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Terre Haute enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Terre Haute occupancy calculation: Limited by minimum square footage and occupancy standards in the building code. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Terre Haute limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Terre Haute requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, Functioning heat, Safe electrical systems, Minimum structural safety standards.

Penalties3 rules

Terre Haute: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Terre Haute: High Fines: Operating an unregistered rental can lead to fines starting at $500 per day.

Exemptions2 rules

Terre Haute exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Terre Haute: 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 Terre Haute

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Access the Online Portal

Visit the Terre Haute Cityworks/OpenGov portal to create a user account for licensing and permits.

15 minutesFree

Official resource

Step 2

Complete Rental Registration Form

Select the 'Rental Registration' option and provide property details including owner contact information, address, number of units, and square footage.

30 minutesFree

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Contact info for responsible party

Official resource

Step 3

Pay Annual Registration Fee

Pay the $5.00 annual registration fee per parcel through the online portal.

5 minutes$5

Official resource

Step 4

Ensure Safety Compliance

Self-inspect the property to ensure it meets 'Safe and Habitable' standards (working smoke/CO detectors, no major electrical hazards) for potential future inspections.

OngoingFree

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

Terre Haute

Moderate

IndianaUpdated Apr 3, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

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$5

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$2,500

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1ADU Restriction: If your STR is an Accessory Dwelling Unit, you must live on the property for at least 8 months of the year.
2Strict Deadline: The $5 registration fee and form are due by January 31st every year to avoid penalties.
3High Fines: Operating an unregistered rental can lead to fines starting at $500 per day.
4State Preemption: Indiana law (HEA 1035) prevents the city from banning STRs, but this registry is their primary method of enforcement.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Terre Haute allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: The ordinance applies to the 'Owner' or 'Responsible Party'; tenants hosting would generally need owner consent and must ensure the unit is registered.
Terre Haute: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements11 rules

Terre Haute does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
Terre Haute requires STR registration. The permit is called "Rental Registration Permit". Apply through Department of Engineering. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process7 rules

Terre Haute STR permit - Step 4: Ensure Safety Compliance. Self-inspect the property to ensure it meets 'Safe and Habitable' standards (working smoke/CO detectors, no major electrical hazards) for potential future inspections. Time: Ongoing.

Fees & costs2 rules

Terre Haute charges a registration fee of $5 (annual).
Terre Haute: Strict Deadline: The $5 registration fee and form are due by January 31st every year to avoid penalties.

Taxes2 rules

Indiana has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
Terre Haute charges a Vigo 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 typically collect and remit both the State Sales Tax and the County Innkeeper's Tax in Indiana.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Terre Haute enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Terre Haute occupancy calculation: Limited by minimum square footage and occupancy standards in the building code. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Terre Haute limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Terre Haute requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, Functioning heat, Safe electrical systems, Minimum structural safety standards.

Penalties3 rules

Terre Haute: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Terre Haute: High Fines: Operating an unregistered rental can lead to fines starting at $500 per day.

Exemptions2 rules

Terre Haute exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Terre Haute: 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 Terre Haute

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Access the Online Portal

Visit the Terre Haute Cityworks/OpenGov portal to create a user account for licensing and permits.

15 minutesFree

Official resource

Step 2

Complete Rental Registration Form

Select the 'Rental Registration' option and provide property details including owner contact information, address, number of units, and square footage.

30 minutesFree

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Contact info for responsible party

Official resource

Step 3

Pay Annual Registration Fee

Pay the $5.00 annual registration fee per parcel through the online portal.

5 minutes$5

Official resource

Step 4

Ensure Safety Compliance

Self-inspect the property to ensure it meets 'Safe and Habitable' standards (working smoke/CO detectors, no major electrical hazards) for potential future inspections.

OngoingFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Access the Online Portal

Complete Rental Registration Form

Pay Annual Registration Fee

Ensure Safety Compliance

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Terre Haute?

3Are there rental night limits in Terre Haute?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Terre Haute?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Access the Online Portal

Complete Rental Registration Form

Pay Annual Registration Fee

Ensure Safety Compliance

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Terre Haute?

3Are there rental night limits in Terre Haute?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Terre Haute?

Disclaimer