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  1. Home
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  5. New Mexico
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  7. Red River

Red River

Moderate
New MexicoUpdated Apr 4, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the Town of Red River are regulated through a mandatory Business License and a 5% Lodgers Tax. All hosts must register with both the State of New Mexico for Gross Receipts Tax and the Town for local lodging taxes, with monthly reporting required regardless of occupancy.

Restriction level

Severity 8
Classification
Moderate
8
Severity

Why this classification

  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the Town of Red River, you must first get a New Mexico state tax ID (CRS number) and then apply for a Red River Business License, which costs $35 annually. You are also required to register for the local 5% Lodgers Tax and schedule a fire safety inspection. Even if Airbnb collects the taxes for you, the Town requires you to file a 'zero-dollar' tax report every month to keep your license active. Be sure to provide bear-proof trash containers, as this is a strictly enforced local requirement for all rentals.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$35
Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Verify you are within the 'Town of Red River' limits; properties outside town limits follow Taos County rules (which also have a lodging tax).
  2. 2Lodger's Tax reports are due by the 25th of EVERY month, even for months with zero bookings.
  3. 3A New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) ID is a prerequisite for the town license.
  4. 4Bear-proof trash containers are mandatory and non-compliance can lead to heavy fines.
  5. 5Fire inspections must be renewed annually to maintain the business license.
  6. 6Parking must be strictly managed on the property; street parking is often restricted during snow removal or events.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Red River does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Red River, NM: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Red River: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements17 rules
  • Red River, NM: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
  • Red River STR warning: Parking must be strictly managed on the property; street parking is often restricted during snow removal or events.
  • Red River STR warning: Lodger's Tax reports are due by the 25th of EVERY month, even for months with zero bookings.
Application process11 rules
  • Red River STR permit - Step 2: Town Business License Application. Complete the Town of Red River Business License application and the Lodger's Tax registration form. Required documents: CRS Number, Property Details. Time: 1 week. Cost: 35.
  • Red River, NM extended permit requirement: A $35.00 business license fee is standard, but check for specific unit-based inspections fees.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Red River charges a registration fee of $35 (annual).
Taxes4 rules
  • Red River: Lodger's Tax reports are due by the 25th of EVERY month, even for months with zero bookings.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Red River, NM occupancy calculation: Subject to fire code occupancy limits (usually 2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Red River limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Red River occupancy calculation: Subject to fire code occupancy limits (usually 2 per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Safety requirements2 rules
  • Red River requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking must be contained on-site, Trash must be in bear-proof containers.
  • Red River: Fire inspections must be renewed annually to maintain the business license.
Penalties4 rules
  • Red River: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Red River, NM: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Red River: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Red River, NM: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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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