Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Short-Term Rentals in Huntsville, AL (2026)

8 verified short-term rentals rules for Huntsville, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Permit Requirements

Huntsville requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning. STRs are generally treated as lodging uses requiring appropriate zoning district or conditional approval.

Short Term Rentals: Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Noise Rules

Huntsville STRs must comply with the city noise ordinance (Chapter 16), which sets 10 PM to 7 AM quiet hours. Hosts are liable for guest noise violations.

short-term-rentals/noise-rules

Some Restrictions

Taxes & Fees

Huntsville STRs must collect Alabama state lodging tax (5% mountain lakes region rate), Huntsville local lodging tax of 7%, plus state and local sales taxes. Total tax burden approximately 16 to 17 percent.

Short Term Rentals: Taxes Fees

Some Restrictions

Alabama Code Section 40-26-1 (Lodgings Tax)

Lodgings tax is a privilege tax on persons, firms, and corporations engaged in the renting or furnishing of rooms, lodgings, or other accommodations to transients for periods of less than 180 days of continuous occupation and applies to all charges for personal property used or furnished in such rooms or lodgings. For transactions entered into on or after October 1, 2019, the tax shall not appl...

Parking Rules

Huntsville STRs must provide off-street parking for guests within the property. On-street parking overflow is subject to standard residential parking rules, and blocking driveways, sidewalks, or parking within 15 feet of fire hydrants is prohibited citywide.

short-term-rentals/parking-rules

Some Restrictions

Occupancy Limits

Huntsville applies International Property Maintenance Code occupancy standards to STRs: 150 sq ft for first occupant plus 100 sq ft per additional occupant in sleeping areas.

short-term-rentals/occupancy-limits

Some Restrictions

Insurance Requirements

Huntsville does not mandate specific STR liability insurance, but platform coverage (Airbnb AirCover, VRBO Liability Insurance) and homeowner endorsements are strongly recommended.

short-term-rentals/insurance-requirements

Few Restrictions

Night Caps

Huntsville does not impose night caps or annual rental day limits on short-term rentals. Operators may rent year-round subject to business license and tax compliance.

short-term-rentals/night-caps

Few Restrictions

Registration Rules

Huntsville STR operators must register for a business license and lodging tax account with the city Revenue Department. No separate STR-specific registry exists.

short-term-rentals/registration-rules

Some Restrictions

Looking for Madison County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Huntsville city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in Madison County