Short-Term Rentals in Otero County, NM (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Otero County, New Mexico.

Verified from official government sources

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

Short-Term Rental Permits

No one may rent out lodging in unincorporated Otero County until the County Manager approves a vendor application under the county's Lodger's Tax Ordinance. Otero County Code § 205-67 requires every short-term rental host and marketplace provider to apply first, with a 10-day review and a right to appeal a denial to the Board of County Commissioners.

Otero County Short-Term Rental Vendor Application

Significant Restrictions

Otero County Code § 205-67

§ 205-67. Application. ... A. No vendor shall engage in the business of providing lodging within that part of Otero County lying outside of the incorporated limits of any municipality of Otero County, who has not first submitted an application and received approval as provided in this section. ... The County Manager, or his or her designee, s ... hall review applications within 10 days of recei...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Airbnb, Vrbo and other marketplace providers renting short-term lodging in unincorporated Otero County must collect the county's occupancy tax and remit it directly. Otero County Code § 205-70 requires marketplace providers to coordinate with the county on collection and keep three years of rental records open to inspection, and § 205-71 fines any vendor who fails to remit.

Otero County STR Lodger's Tax Collection Duties

Some Restrictions

Otero County Code §§ 205-70, 205-71

§ 205-70. Duties of the vendor/marketplace provider. ... ... B. Marketplace providers facilitating lodging rentals in the unincorporated areas of Otero County shall: (1) Coordinate with Otero County to establish policies and procedures for the collection of occupancy tax and remittance to the County for all properties subject to this article utilizing the marketplace provider's services. (2) Ma...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Otero County ordinances

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

Otero County Ordinance Hub →