Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America (2026)

Top 25: Easiest for Hosts

Rankings reflect the permit and licensing burden for short-term rental hosts in each city. "Permissive" cities have minimal registration requirements, low fees, and few operational restrictions. "Strict" cities require extensive permitting, limit rental nights, or ban STRs in certain zones entirely.

1. 1

   Arapahoe County, COFew Restrictions$200 app + $350/year

   As of early 2026, unincorporated Arapahoe County does not have an STR licensing or registration requirement. STRs are currently allowed by right in residential areas. The county is developing proposed licensing regulations with a local responsible agent requirement and possible 500-foot separation rule.

2. 2

   Baytown, TXFew RestrictionsNot required

   Baytown has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit requirement. Texas state law (HB 2127, effective September 2023) preempts cities from regulating short-term rentals more restrictively than state law allows. Properties used for short-term rental through Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms must comply with general property maintenance codes and hotel occupancy tax requirements.

3. 3

   Bexar County, TXFew Restrictions

   Bexar County has no STR registration or permitting requirements. Texas counties cannot zone or regulate land use. Only state hotel occupancy tax collection applies. Properties in San Antonio's ETJ may face some city requirements.

4. 4

   Brown County, WIFew RestrictionsDATCP Tourist Rooming House

   Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts local STR bans for stays of 7 consecutive days or more. Hosts renting more than 10 nights per year must hold a state Tourist Rooming House license from DATCP. Brown County does not operate a county-wide STR permit; municipal rules vary.

5. 5

   Collin County, TXFew RestrictionsNone

   Collin County does not require a permit for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas state HOT registration with the Comptroller is mandatory at 6 percent. Cities within Collin (Plano, McKinney, Frisco) have their own STR registration programs.

6. 6

   Columbia County, GAFew RestrictionsNone required

   Columbia County has no dedicated short-term rental permit or registration ordinance. STRs are legal in unincorporated Evans and Martinez, subject only to a county occupation-tax certificate and registering to remit the 5% lodging tax, with no zoning cap.

7. 7

   Conroe, TXFew Restrictions

   Conroe has no dedicated short-term rental registration or permit ordinance. Because Conroe has no zoning code, STRs are not restricted by residential zoning. Operators must still collect and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax.

8. 8

   Dallas County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required

   No Dallas County STR registration requirement for unincorporated areas. Texas has no state-level STR permit or registration requirement. Counties generally lack authority to regulate land use. Hosts must register with TX Comptroller for tax collection.

9. 9

   Denton County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required

   Denton County has no STR registration requirement for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot require STR registration, licensing, or listing verification. Operators must register with the Texas Comptroller for hotel occupancy tax purposes only.

10. 10

    El Paso, TXFew RestrictionsNone - no city STR ordinance adopted

    The City of El Paso does not currently require a short-term rental permit, license, or registration. STR operators need only register for the Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and the City of El Paso 9% local HOT, plus general business compliance. A city STR ordinance is under consideration but had not been adopted as of May 2026.

11. 11

    Euless, TXFew RestrictionsSales tax permit needed for taxable add-ons

    Euless has no STR registration program, but operators must register city HOT accounts with Euless Finance (7 percent) and state HOT with the TX Comptroller (6 percent). No city license or inspection program currently.

12. 12

    Harris County, TXFew RestrictionsNone required

    Harris County has no short-term rental permit, registration, or licensing requirement for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority over land use. STRs must comply with state and county hotel occupancy taxes and private deed restrictions.

13. 13

    Humble, TXFew RestrictionsNone identified

    No Humble-specific STR permit or registration requirement was found. STRs are subject to general noise, parking, and zoning rules. TX Local Gov't Code §250.006 limits city STR bans.

14. 14

    Huntersville, NCFew Restrictions

    Huntersville does not maintain a local STR registry. Under NCGS 160D-1207, NC cities cannot impose pre-occupancy registration requirements that single out STRs. Tax registration with NCDOR and Mecklenburg County is required but is handled through standard state and county systems, not Huntersville town government.

15. 15

    Jacksonville, FLFew RestrictionsFS 509.241 required

    Jacksonville (consolidated city-county for Duval County) has no STR-specific registration ordinance. After a November 2022 court ruling held the city's pre-2011 zoning provisions did not qualify for grandfathering under Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b), the city cannot impose STR-specific rules. Hosts must still hold a state DBPR vacation rental license under FS 509.241 and a Duval County Local Business Tax Receipt.

16. 16

    Live Oak, TXFew RestrictionsNot currently adopted in Live Oak

    Live Oak does not currently maintain a dedicated STR permit program, but owners must still comply with local zoning, occupancy, and Texas state tax obligations before hosting paid guests.

17. 17

    Macomb County, MIFew RestrictionsNone issued

    Macomb County government does not issue or require a short-term rental permit. Under Michigan law, STR permitting and zoning are handled by each city or township, so the applicable permit depends on the specific community where the rental sits.

18. 18

    Marathon County, WIFew RestrictionsDATCP Tourist Rooming House

    Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts local STR bans for stays of 7 consecutive days or more. Hosts renting more than 10 nights per year must hold a Tourist Rooming House license from Wisconsin DATCP. Marathon County does not run a county-wide STR permit; municipal rules vary.

19. 19

    Maricopa County, AZFew RestrictionsNone required

    Arizona's ARS §9-500.39 preempts local governments from banning short-term rentals, extending to counties. Maricopa County has no STR permit or registration system for unincorporated areas. HOA CC&Rs may restrict STRs in planned communities.

20. 20

    Montgomery County, TXFew Restrictions

    Montgomery County does not require STR registration or permits in unincorporated areas. No county STR policy exists. Property-specific deed restrictions or HOA rules may restrict or prohibit STRs; verify with your subdivision's HOA before listing.

21. 21

    Outagamie County, WIFew RestrictionsDATCP Tourist Rooming House

    Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts local STR bans for stays of 7 consecutive days or longer. Hosts renting more than 10 nights per year must hold a state Tourist Rooming House license from DATCP. Outagamie County does not operate a county-wide STR permit; municipal rules vary across Appleton, Kaukauna, and the towns.

22. 22

    Palm Bay, FLFew Restrictions$37 annually

    Palm Bay does not have a city-specific short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement as of 2026. Florida law preempts local STR bans under FL Statute 509.032. Operators must register with the Florida DBPR and obtain a Brevard County Business Tax Receipt.

23. 23

    Pasadena, TXFew Restrictions

    Pasadena does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance at the city level. Texas state law under TX Tax Code Ch. 156 governs hotel occupancy tax. Property owners must comply with general zoning and nuisance ordinances. Pasadena is a non-zoned city relying on deed restrictions.

24. 24

    Paulding County, GAFew RestrictionsOccupation tax certificate needed

    Paulding County has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance, registration, or STR permit: a search of the county code returns no vacation-rental rules. Operators instead need a county occupation tax certificate (business license) and must follow residential zoning.

25. 25

    Peoria, AZFew RestrictionsRequired from AZ Dept. of Revenue

    Arizona state law (SB 1350) limits cities from banning short-term rentals but allows regulation of safety and nuisance issues. Peoria requires STR operators to obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license and comply with safety standards.

State-by-State Breakdown

How each state leans overall, based on the cities and counties we have data for in that state.

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