Short-Term Rentals in Hamilton County, IN (2026)

10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Indiana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

The county sets no STR permit rule—your city does. In Fishers, an owner-occupied short-term rental needs no permit; a non-owner rental needs a Special Exception. Carmel requires Board of Zoning Appeals approval for STRs of 30 days or less.

Short-Term Rental Permits in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Fishers UDO § 5.4.6.D.2(a)-(b)

A short-term rental of an owner occupied short-term rental property is a permitted residential use without a permit. For short-term rental properties that are not owner occupied, a Special Exception is required.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Hamilton County has no STR-specific noise rule and Indiana sets no statewide numeric residential limit. Your city's general noise ordinance—Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, or Noblesville—applies to short-term rental guests just like any resident.

Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Hamilton County levies an 8% innkeeper's (lodging) tax on stays under 30 days—including Airbnb and Vrbo rentals—on top of Indiana's 7% state sales tax. City STR permit fees are capped at $150 by state law.

Short-Term Rental Taxes in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Hamilton County Ordinance CC 08-02-2023.A (IC 6-9-56)

Effective January 1, 2024, Hamilton County has an 8% lodging tax. A total of 5% of the tax is reserved for marketing, promotions and development. The remaining 3% must be used for tourism capital improvements.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Hamilton County sets no STR parking standard—cities do. Fishers' overnight-lodging code requires one parking space per bed-and-breakfast guest room plus one per employee; whole-home STRs follow the residential district's driveway and parking rules.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Fishers UDO § 5.4.6.B.2(g)

One (1) parking space per guest room, plus one (1) parking space for each employee.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Hamilton County sets no STR occupancy cap—your city does through its zoning code. Fishers' overnight-lodging rules cap a bed-and-breakfast at 14 guest rooms; STR occupancy generally follows the dwelling's residential standards.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Fishers UDO § 5.4.6.B.1

A bed and breakfast establishment shall contain a maximum of fourteen (14) guest rooms and shall rent for no more than 30 consecutive days to a guest.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Hamilton County requires no STR insurance. Carmel's short-term-rental special-exception process asks operators to carry additional liability insurance, and hosts should confirm coverage since standard homeowner policies often exclude commercial rental activity.

Short-Term Rental Insurance Rules in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Hamilton County imposes no annual night cap on short-term rentals, and Indiana Code 36-1-24 bars cities from ordinances that prohibit or unreasonably restrict STRs. A hard rented-nights ceiling would risk violating that state protection.

Short-Term Rental Night Caps in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Hamilton County has no STR registry. Carmel's and Fishers' new rental-registration ordinances apply only to rentals of 30 days or longer—short-term rentals are excluded and instead go through zoning (Special Exception or city license).

Short-Term Rental Registration in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

City of Carmel Rental Registration Program FAQ (Ord. D-2770-25)

This ordinance regulates only the rental of single-family dwellings and townhomes for 30 days or longer.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

No Hamilton County or Indiana rule requires a host to be present during a stay. Owner-occupied rentals get a by-right permitted-use status, but unhosted, non-owner rentals remain legal with a city Special Exception—cities may not ban them.

Host-Presence Short-Term Rental Rules in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

State law protects owner-occupied short-term rentals: in Fishers an owner-occupied STR is a permitted use needing no permit, while a non-owner rental needs a Special Exception. Carmel's special-exception path favors primary residences. Cities cannot ban either outright.

Primary-Residence Short-Term Rental Rules in Hamilton County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Fishers UDO § 5.4.6.D.2(a); cf. IC 36-1-24-8

A short-term rental of an owner occupied short-term rental property is a permitted residential use without a permit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Hamilton County

1 cities in Hamilton County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

NoblesvillePop. 69,604

10 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Insurance Requirements

All Hamilton County ordinances

See every category we cover for Hamilton County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Hamilton County Ordinance Hub →