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

**Yes**, Moab requires a Short-Term Rental Business License for all rentals. You need to obtain an annual business license, which costs $250. Additionally, you must pass a fire inspection to ensure the safety of your rental property. Operating without a license can result in fines. (52 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Moab, UT?

**8.82%** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Moab. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. In addition to the city's TOT, you must also collect state and county taxes, bringing the combined tax rate to approximately 13.67%. (55 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Moab?

**Yes**, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals in Moab are limited to specific multi-family (R-3, R-4) and commercial zones. Be sure to verify that your property is located within one of these designated zones before listing it as a short-term rental. Operating in an unauthorized zone is prohibited. (52 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Moab?

**$250** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Business License in Moab. You need to renew this license each year to continue operating your short-term rental legally. In addition to the license fee, you must also factor in the cost of a fire inspection, which is required for all STRs. (54 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Moab?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Moab. Only property owners are eligible to apply for a Short-Term Rental Business License. Subletting or assigning your rental unit to a third party for short-term rental purposes is prohibited. You need to own the property to legally operate an STR. (51 words)

Moab, UT Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulations

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals in the City of Moab are strictly regulated and limited to specific multi-family (R-3, R-4) and commercial zones. All hosts must obtain an annual business license, pass a fire inspection, and collect a combined tax rate of approximately 13.67%.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 21 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $250
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Moab, you first need to check if your property is in a permitted zone, as STRs are banned in standard single-family neighborhoods (R-1 and R-2). If you are in a legal zone, you must apply for a City Business License and pass a safety inspection by the local fire department. You'll need to pay an annual fee of $250 and ensure you are collecting the required Transient Room Tax from every guest. Remember that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2018 cannot be used for short-term rentals.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

30-45 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.STRs are strictly PROHIBITED in R-1 and R-2 residential zones.
2.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) created after 2018 are legally barred from short-term rental use.
3.City of Moab rules are DIFFERENT from Grand County rules; verify your exact address on the city limit map.
4.A local property manager must be available 24/7 and reside within 60 minutes of the property.
5.Operating without a license is a Class B misdemeanor in Moab.
6.Your business license number must be clearly displayed in all online listings.
7.Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute cap of 10 people.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

•Moab: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Moab prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Campers, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) built after 2018.
•Moab does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Moab allows STRs in the following property types: Residential dwellings, Condominiums, Townhomes.

Requirements(22)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Moab: 1. STRs are strictly PROHIBITED in R-1 and R-2 residential zones. 2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) created after 2018 are legally barred from short-term rental use. 3. City of Moab rules are DIFFERENT from Grand County rules; verify your exact address on the city limit map. 4. A local property manager must be available 24/7 and reside within 60 minutes of the property. 5. Operating without a license is a Class B misdemeanor in Moab. 6. Your business license number must be clearly displayed in all online listings. 7. Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with an absolute cap of 10 people.

Application Process(10)

•Moab: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan, Proof of Sales Tax ID, Parking plan, Local property manager contact, Proof of Insurance.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Moab charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Utah has a state sales tax of 4.85% that applies to STR rentals.
•Moab charges a Transient Room Tax (TRT) and Sales Tax of 8.82%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the state and county portion; however, hosts should verify the local 1% City tax is covered.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Moab limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.
•Moab, UT occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Moab limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Moab requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Initial fire inspection by Moab Valley Fire Protection District, Self-inspection checklist for annual renewals.

Penalties(5)

•Moab, UT: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Moab: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Moab: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions(3)

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

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 Utah Markets

Summit County

Utah

Moderate

Unincorporated Summit County requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual business license and undergo a safety self-certification. The regulations distinguish between the Snyderville Basin and Eastern Summit County planning districts, each with specific zoning constraints.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

St. George

Utah

Moderate

Short-term rentals in St. George are strictly regulated and only permitted in specific zones or developments where STR use was explicitly approved during the platting process. Operating an STR in a standard residential zone (like R-1) is generally prohibited, and the city actively enforces these restrictions with fines starting at $750.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Hurricane

Utah

Strict

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Hurricane are heavily restricted with a 300-foot separation requirement and a citywide cap of three licenses per 1,000 residents in single-family zones.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.1% total tax

Park City

Utah

Moderate

Park City requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual business license and undergo a mandatory fire safety inspection. Stays are defined as short-term if they are 30 days or less, and properties must be located within specific zoning districts that permit transient lodging.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Moab

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

Requirements(22)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(5)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Utah Markets

Summit County

St. George

Hurricane

Park City

Moab

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Moab, UT?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Moab?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Moab?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Moab?

Related Content

Other Utah Markets

Summit County

St. George

Hurricane

Park City