6 rules for unincorporated St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Indiana Code 36-1-24 bars St. Joseph County and its cities from banning short-term rentals in residential zones; South Bend requires annual rental registration by September 1 and an occupancy inspection.
IC 36-1-24-9
A unit may require a special exception, special use, or zoning variance for the short term rental property that is in a residential zoning district or classification of a unit. However, the unit may not interpret and enforce the unit's zoning regulations for a special exception, special use, or zoning variance in a manner that is intended or has the effect of prohibiting or unreasonably restric...
St. Joseph County sets no STR-specific noise rule; South Bend rental guests must obey Code Sec. 13-57, which makes sound plainly audible 50 feet away, or operated after 11:00 p.m., a violation.
South Bend, IN Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-57(c)(2)
...which is plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located and unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of neighbors in residential or noise sensitive areas, including multifamily or single-family dwellings. The operation of such device in a manner prohibited herein between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall be prima fac...
St. Joseph County levies a 6% innkeeper's tax on lodging rented under 30 days under IC 6-9-1-5, on top of Indiana's 7% state sales tax, for a combined 13%.
IC 6-9-1-5
the tax imposed under subsection (a) is imposed at the rate of six percent (6%) on the gross income derived from lodging income only and shall be in addition to the state gross retail tax imposed on such persons by IC 6-2.5.
Neither Indiana nor St. Joseph County sets a short-term-rental parking ratio; South Bend regulates rental parking through general residential parking and property-maintenance rules rather than an STR-specific mandate.
St. Joseph County and South Bend set no fixed short-term-rental headcount; occupancy is governed by the International Property Maintenance Code, verified at the required occupancy inspection, rather than a numeric STR cap.
Neither Indiana nor St. Joseph County requires short-term-rental hosts to carry insurance; coverage is driven by mortgage lenders, HOA covenants, and booking platforms rather than any ordinance.
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