Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Birmingham Ordinance 17-95 does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, making the city friendlier to investor-owned STRs than peer markets like Nashville or Charleston.
Short-Term Rentals in Birmingham, AL (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Birmingham's zoning ordinance defines a short-term rental and requires approval of a short-term rental permit from the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits (plus a City of Birmingham business license) before a dwelling may be used as an STR.
STR Permit + Business License Required by Zoning Code
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance, Title 1, Chapter 4, Article II, Section 2(C) (Zoning Advisory Committee Short-Term Rental amendment, Sept. 17, 2024)
C. Short-term rental. In the D-5, R-5, R-6, R-7, MU-L, MU-M, MU-H, MU-D, C-1, B-1, C-2, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, M-1, MXD, HID, AG, A-1 and A-2 districts, a short-term rental shall be permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of a short-term rental permit by the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits. 2. Compliance with Title 12, Chapter 23 of the Birmingham City...
Noise Rules
STR guests in Birmingham must comply with the city's noise ordinance. The proposed STR regulations explicitly require compliance with existing noise rules.
Birmingham STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Birmingham STR operators must collect Alabama lodging tax, Jefferson County lodging tax, and city occupancy tax. These taxes apply to all transient accommodations regardless of whether specific STR regulations are in place.
Birmingham STR Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
The proposed Birmingham STR regulations include parking provisions. Currently, STR guests must comply with standard city parking rules. Operators should provide parking information to guests.
Birmingham STR Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Birmingham's zoning amendments define a short-term rental and route operating limits to Title 12, Chapter 23 of the City Code, but as of mid-2026 the City had not yet adopted a numeric maximum-occupancy or guest-gathering cap; a draft ordinance proposes density and age-based limits.
No Adopted Numeric Occupancy Cap; Zoning Defines STR
Few RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance, Title 1, Chapter 1, Article III (Definitions) (Zoning Advisory Committee Short-Term Rental amendment, Sept. 17, 2024)
Short-term rental. The transient use of any dwelling or any part of a dwelling for overnight occupancy for less than 30 consecutive days.
Insurance Requirements
Birmingham requires short-term-rental operators to carry general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and to name the city as an additional insured for permit issuance under Ordinance 17-95.
STR Liability Insurance Required
Some RestrictionsHost Presence Rule
Birmingham does not impose a host-presence rule for short-term rentals. Whole-home, unhosted bookings are legal so long as the operator meets permit, tax, and insurance requirements under Ordinance 17-95.
Host Presence Not Required
Few RestrictionsLooking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Jefferson County →