Short-Term Rentals in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
7 verified short-term rentals rules for Las Cruces, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every Las Cruces short-term rental must carry a business registration certificate from the Community Development Department before it takes its first guest, obtained under the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Owners already operating when the rule took effect had 30 days to apply, and the certificate must stay posted inside the unit where renters can see it.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-508(a), (c), (d)
(a)All persons owning real property within the City of Las Cruces with the intent of using that property for a short-term rental unit must obtain a certificate of business registration from the City of Las Cruces Community Development Department pursuant to chapter 16 of this Code prior to establishing that service... (c)Any person operating such short-term rental property prior to the effectiv...
Noise Rules
A Las Cruces short-term rental that generates noise or disturbance, inside or outside the unit, violates both the city's general noise chapter and the Short-Term Rental Ordinance itself. Sec. 16-508(i) makes any chapter 19 noise violation at a registered rental a separate offense under the rental ordinance, opening the door to registration penalties on top of a noise citation.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-508(i)
(i)Noise or other disturbance in or outside the short-term rental is prohibited according to chapter 19 of this Code. To the extent that a violation of chapter 19 is in the context of a short-term rental, it shall be considered an offense under this article additional and alternative to other available enforcement mechanisms.
Taxes & Fees
Las Cruces charges short-term rental operators a $35 annual registration fee plus a separate one-time $50 fee to register with Visit Las Cruces, on top of every applicable local, state and federal tax. Operators must supply a New Mexico State Tax ID and stay current on lodger's tax, gross receipts tax and income tax obligations.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-508(k); § 16-511
(k)The short-term rental operator is expected to pay all applicable local, state, and federal taxes, including, but not limited to, lodger's tax, gross receipts tax, and income tax. Upon obtaining a business registration from the community development department, the owner must provide the New Mexico State Tax ID number associated with the short-term rental business. ... The fee to obtain a reg...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Las Cruces requires every short-term rental to provide off-street parking on-site through a garage, carport or driveway space. If that isn't possible, the operator must tell guests where they can park without blocking traffic or crowding neighbors, and can cap the number of vehicles allowed at the property.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-508(f)
(f)For any short-term rental unit, the short-term rental operator must provide off-street parking onsite via garages, parking shelters, or driveway space. If off-street parking is not possible, the short-term rental operator shall advise the renters of appropriate parking locations that do not affect traffic, roadways, or the peaceful enjoyment of the area by adjacent residents. The short-term ...
Occupancy Limits
Las Cruces caps overnight occupancy at any registered short-term rental to two guests per bed plus two more per unit, with children under two excluded from the count. Registered units also cannot host gatherings of more than fifteen extra people, or double the allowed renters, whichever is greater. The Community Development Department enforces the cap under the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-508(h), (j)
(h)The maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental unit is limited to two people per bed plus an additional two people per unit. For the purpose of calculating occupancy, children under the age of two are excluded... (j)Short-term rental properties shall not be used for gatherings of more than 15 additional persons above the allowed number of renters or more than twice the limit of the n...
Insurance Requirements
Las Cruces requires every short-term rental operator to carry at least $500,000 in property and liability insurance before the city will register the unit. Proof of adequate insurance must be filed with the community development department at registration, whenever coverage changes, and on city request.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Insurance Rule
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances §§ 16-507, 16-508(e) (Short-Term Rental Ordinance, Ord. No. 3103, 12-15-25)
Adequate insurance means property and liability insurance to cover damage or loss to the short-term rental unit and contents within the dwelling with a minimum of $500,000.00 liability insurance. Adequate insurance shall be in the form of a traditional homeowner's policy with a specific rider for the short-term rental property, a dwelling policy with proper endorsements for short-term rental, o...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Las Cruces builds an escalating strike system into short-term rental enforcement: a health-or-safety finding can cost a registration at the first offense, a pattern of negligence can cost it by the third, and a fifth offense within three years makes revocation mandatory. Community Development staff decide these findings administratively, separate from municipal court fines.
Las Cruces Short-Term Rental Repeat Violator Rule
Heavy RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 16-509(c)
(c)In addition to prosecution under this section, staff designated by the city manager may use their administrative authority to revoke the business registration for all short-rental properties managed or owned by a short-term rental operator for one of the grounds provided by this subsection. A finding shall be in the form of a written determination including a review of evidence for the findi...
Looking for Doña Ana County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Las Cruces city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Doña Ana County →