Is your Airbnb actually legal?

We research regulations directly from official city and county government sources (.gov websites, ordinance documents, tax authority sites). Every data point is sourced and verified. We update our database regularly as regulations change.

No. STR Comply is an informational tool that helps you understand and track your local regulations. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For complex legal situations, we recommend consulting a local attorney.

We currently cover 100+ US cities and add new ones every week. If your city isn't listed, enter your email and we'll notify you as soon as it's added. You can also request a city and we'll prioritize it based on demand.

We monitor regulatory changes continuously. When a city updates its STR rules, we update our database within days. Paid subscribers receive regulation change alerts so you always know when something affects your property.

Yes. Local regulations apply regardless of which platform you use. Whether you list on Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or all of them, the permits, taxes, and rules for your address are the same.

Yes — paid plans are available now with full compliance dashboards, permit tracking, renewal reminders, and regulation change alerts. The free compliance check is here to stay.

Whether your property can legally be rented short-term depends on your city's zoning laws, HOA rules, and local STR ordinances. Many cities require specific zoning designations before you can host guests. Some ban short-term rentals entirely in certain neighborhoods, while others allow them only in owner-occupied properties. The fastest way to check is to enter your address in our free compliance tool above — it instantly tells you the rules, required permits, and any restrictions for your specific location. You can also check your city's planning or zoning department website, but this often takes hours of digging through legal documents.

Most US cities require at least one — and often several — licenses or permits to legally operate a short-term rental. Common requirements include: a Short-Term Rental Permit or License (issued by your city, typically $50–$500/year), a Business License or Business Tax Certificate, a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration to collect and remit local hotel/lodging taxes, and in some cities, a fire safety or building inspection certificate. The exact permits vary widely by city. For example, Los Angeles requires a Home Sharing Registration, while Nashville requires a separate STR Operating Permit. Our compliance reports show you exactly which permits your city requires and how to apply for each one.

Short-term rental hosts typically owe a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), also called a hotel tax or lodging tax, on top of standard income taxes. TOT rates vary significantly by city — from around 6% in some areas to over 15% in cities like San Francisco (14%) and Chicago (17.4%). Some platforms like Airbnb collect and remit these taxes on your behalf in certain jurisdictions, but not all. You may also owe state sales tax, tourism district assessments, or county-level taxes depending on your location. Our free compliance check shows you the exact tax rates and obligations for your city so you can factor these costs into your pricing before you start hosting.