Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. George?

**Yes**, St. George requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Business License. You need to apply for this license if your property is in a zone that allows STRs and only the main dwelling unit can be licensed, not ADUs or basements. The fee for this license is $300 annually.

What is the TOT tax rate in St. George?

**6.32% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in St. George. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. You should confirm with the city for any changes to this rate and specific collection guidelines.

How much does an STR permit cost in St. George?

**The permit costs** $300 for the Short-Term Residential Rental Business License in St. George. In addition to the permit fee, you are required to show proof of $500,000 in liability insurance and provide a 24/7 local contact. You also must pass a fire safety inspection.

Can renters host on Airbnb in St. George?

**No**, renters cannot host on Airbnb in St. George. The city requires that the property owner apply for the Short-Term Residential Rental Business License. The license also requires proof of insurance and other compliance measures that typically only property owners can fulfill.

St. George, UT Short-Term Rental Laws

Summary

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.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 26 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $300
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in St. George, you first need to make sure your specific neighborhood allows it—most residential streets do not. If your property is in an approved zone, you must apply for a $300 business license and pass a fire safety inspection. You also need to show proof of $500,000 in liability insurance and provide a 24/7 local contact who lives within 15 miles. St. George does not allow you to rent out ADUs, basements, or casitas for short-term stays; only the main dwelling unit in approved areas can be licensed.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$300

Processing Time

30-60 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Most residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) prohibit STRs unless the specific project was approved for it on the final plat.
2.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), casitas, and basements cannot be used as short-term rentals.
3.The fine for operating without a license is a steep $750 per day.
4.A local contact must be available 24/7 and be able to respond to the property within 15 minutes if needed.
5.St. George limits total occupancy to 10 people regardless of home size, unless specific additional fire requirements are met.
6.You must include your business license number in all online advertisements/listings.
7.A standard business license is required even if you only rent the property out once a year.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•St. George does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•St. George: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•St. George prohibits STRs in the following property types: Standard R-1/R-2 residential single-family homes, Mobile homes, Agricultural zones.

Requirements(14)

•St. George STR warning: Lot size must be 2+ acres for STR consideration in residential zones, AND you must have 100% written consent from neighbors within 300 feet.
•St. George STR warning: You must post a sign inside the unit with manager info, max occupancy, and trash collection days.
•St. George STR warning: A local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond within 2 hours.

Application Process(7)

•St. George STR permit - Step 4: Pass Fire & Safety Inspection. Schedule and pass a health and safety check by the city building/fire inspector. Time: 1 week.
•St. George STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility. Check if your property is in a PD (Planned Development) zone that explicitly allows nightly rentals. Most residential zones are prohibited. Time: 1 day.

Fees & Costs(2)

•St. George charges a registration fee of $150 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $50 (Inspection fee typically included in initial application; $50 for ADU license if applicable.).
•St. George: Lot size must be 2+ acres for STR consideration in residential zones, AND you must have 100% written consent from neighbors within 300 feet.

Taxes(3)

•St. George charges a Transient Room Tax of 1%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the State and County portions; hosts must ensure the 1% City portion and total 12.32% is accounted for via the Utah State Tax Commission.
•Utah has a state sales tax of 4.85% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•St. George limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•St. George enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety Requirements(1)

•St. George requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local property manager reachable 24/7, Signage inside unit with manager contact and trash days, Weekly cleaning service required while occupied.

Penalties(2)

•St. George: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

St. George

Baseline 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(7)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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St. George

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. George?

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. George?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in St. George?

4How much does an STR permit cost in St. George?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in St. George?

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Summit County

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