What are the permit fees in Decorah?

No permit fee is required for short-term rentals, but registration is strictly mandatory.

What are the key requirements for Decorah hosts?

Emergency contacts must be able to respond to issues within a 'reasonable period of time' to avoid permit revocation.

What should Decorah hosts know about the total tax rate is?

The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.

Decorah

Moderate

IowaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 13, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Decorah requires short-term rentals to be registered under the city's rental housing permit program, though no permit or inspection fee is charged for short-term specific units.

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Decorah, you must register your property with the city and provide a 24/7 emergency contact. While there is a formal application process and required safety inspections, the city does not charge a fee for the short-term rental permit itself. You must also collect and pay state and local lodging taxes totaling 18%.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$0

Processing time2-4 weeks

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1No permit fee is required for short-term rentals, but registration is strictly mandatory.
2Emergency contacts must be able to respond to issues within a 'reasonable period of time' to avoid permit revocation.
3The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Decorah: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Decorah allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Multi-Family, Apartment, Condo.
Decorah does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Decorah: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Decorah STR warning: The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.
Decorah: Emergency contacts must be able to respond to issues within a 'reasonable period of time' to avoid permit revocation.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Decorah: Step 1: Register with Iowa Department of Revenue - Obtain an Iowa Sales Tax and Hotel/Motel Tax permit through the GovConnectIowa portal. Documents needed: Social Security Number or FEIN, Business Name and Address. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://govconnect.iowa.gov/ Step 2: Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application - Submit the Residential Rental Property Permit application to the City of Decorah Building Department, specifying the 'Short Term' rental type. Documents needed: 24/7 Local Contact Information, Property Owner Consent (if tenant), Parking/Site Plan. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.decorahia.org/city-resources/forms-applications Step 3: Schedule Safety Inspection - Contact the Building Inspector to schedule a required property inspection to ensure compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://www.decorahia.org/departments/building-code-inspections

Fees & costs1 rule

Decorah: No permit fee is required for short-term rentals, but registration is strictly mandatory.

Taxes3 rules

Decorah charges a Local Hotel and Motel Tax of 0.07%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 5% state lodging tax and 7% local lodging tax.
Decorah: The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Decorah occupancy calculation: Subject to International Property Maintenance Code standards (approx. 2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Decorah limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Decorah enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Decorah requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local representative must respond within a reasonable period of time, Adherence to 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), Minimum 3-wire 120/240 volt electrical service.

Penalties2 rules

Decorah enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by municipal infraction. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Increased fines. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Decorah: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Decorah: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Decorah exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels and traditional Bed & Breakfasts are exempt from city-level rental housing inspections if state-inspected.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Decorah

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with Iowa Department of Revenue

Obtain an Iowa Sales Tax and Hotel/Motel Tax permit through the GovConnectIowa portal.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Social Security Number or FEIN
Business Name and Address

Official resource

Step 2

Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application

Submit the Residential Rental Property Permit application to the City of Decorah Building Department, specifying the 'Short Term' rental type.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

24/7 Local Contact Information
Property Owner Consent (if tenant)
Parking/Site Plan

Official resource

Step 3

Schedule Safety Inspection

Contact the Building Inspector to schedule a required property inspection to ensure compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

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

Decorah

Moderate

IowaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 13, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Decorah requires short-term rentals to be registered under the city's rental housing permit program, though no permit or inspection fee is charged for short-term specific units.

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee
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 rate0.2%

Permit fee$0

Processing time2-4 weeks

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1No permit fee is required for short-term rentals, but registration is strictly mandatory.
2Emergency contacts must be able to respond to issues within a 'reasonable period of time' to avoid permit revocation.
3The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Decorah: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Decorah allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Multi-Family, Apartment, Condo.
Decorah does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Decorah: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Decorah STR warning: The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.
Decorah: Emergency contacts must be able to respond to issues within a 'reasonable period of time' to avoid permit revocation.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Decorah: Step 1: Register with Iowa Department of Revenue - Obtain an Iowa Sales Tax and Hotel/Motel Tax permit through the GovConnectIowa portal. Documents needed: Social Security Number or FEIN, Business Name and Address. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://govconnect.iowa.gov/ Step 2: Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application - Submit the Residential Rental Property Permit application to the City of Decorah Building Department, specifying the 'Short Term' rental type. Documents needed: 24/7 Local Contact Information, Property Owner Consent (if tenant), Parking/Site Plan. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.decorahia.org/city-resources/forms-applications Step 3: Schedule Safety Inspection - Contact the Building Inspector to schedule a required property inspection to ensure compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://www.decorahia.org/departments/building-code-inspections

Fees & costs1 rule

Decorah: No permit fee is required for short-term rentals, but registration is strictly mandatory.

Taxes3 rules

Decorah charges a Local Hotel and Motel Tax of 0.07%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 5% state lodging tax and 7% local lodging tax.
Decorah: The total tax rate is high at 18%, including state sales tax, state lodging tax, and local lodging tax.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Decorah occupancy calculation: Subject to International Property Maintenance Code standards (approx. 2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Decorah limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Decorah enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Decorah requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local representative must respond within a reasonable period of time, Adherence to 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), Minimum 3-wire 120/240 volt electrical service.

Penalties2 rules

Decorah enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by municipal infraction. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Increased fines. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Decorah: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Decorah: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Decorah exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels and traditional Bed & Breakfasts are exempt from city-level rental housing inspections if state-inspected.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Decorah

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with Iowa Department of Revenue

Obtain an Iowa Sales Tax and Hotel/Motel Tax permit through the GovConnectIowa portal.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Social Security Number or FEIN
Business Name and Address

Official resource

Step 2

Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application

Submit the Residential Rental Property Permit application to the City of Decorah Building Department, specifying the 'Short Term' rental type.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

24/7 Local Contact Information
Property Owner Consent (if tenant)
Parking/Site Plan

Official resource

Step 3

Schedule Safety Inspection

Contact the Building Inspector to schedule a required property inspection to ensure compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

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

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with Iowa Department of Revenue

Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application

Schedule Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Decorah?

3Are there inspection requirements for Decorah rentals?

4What are the fees for a Decorah STR permit?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with Iowa Department of Revenue

Complete Decorah Rental Housing Permit Application

Schedule Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Decorah?

3Are there inspection requirements for Decorah rentals?

4What are the fees for a Decorah STR permit?

Disclaimer