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

   Baytown, TXFew RestrictionsNot required

   Baytown does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit requirement as of 2024. 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.

2. 2

   Sanger, CAFew Restrictions

   Sanger has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance as of early 2026. The city's zoning code (Chapter 90) does not specifically define or regulate short-term rentals, vacation rentals, or homestays. Operators must still obtain a business license under Chapter 18 and register as transient occupancy tax operators under Chapter 66, Article V. The absence of a specific STR framework means there are no local caps, zoning restrictions, or STR-specific permit requirements.

3. 3

   Reedley, CAFew RestrictionsRequired (RMC 3-2)

   Reedley has no dedicated STR ordinance. Operators must comply with the 8% TOT under RMC Chapter 3-7 and obtain a business license under RMC Chapter 3-2.

4. 4

   Seminole, FLFew RestrictionsNot allowed beyond state

   Florida preempts local STR licensing under FS 509.032(7). Seminole cannot require permits beyond state DBPR vacation rental licensing, but must register operators where allowed and may enforce zoning rules consistent with state law.

5. 5

   Selma, CAFew Restrictions

   Selma does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit program. STR operations are governed by general zoning regulations under Title XI. Operators must comply with California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7280 for transient occupancy tax collection.

6. 6

   Penn Hills, PAFew RestrictionsNone in Penn Hills

   Penn Hills does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit ordinance. Operators must obtain a Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance for any rental use and comply with zoning. No dedicated STR license exists, unlike the Pittsburgh Chapter 781 program.

7. 7

   Manchester, NHFew Restrictions

   Manchester NH manages STR demand driven by tax-free shopping tourism and Boston metro proximity. New Hampshire no-sales-tax advantage draws visitors with the city requiring registration for vacation rental operators.

8. 8

   Killeen, TXFew Restrictions

   Killeen has minimal STR-specific regulation. Texas state law limits municipal ability to ban STRs. Military families and visitors to Fort Cavazos drive consistent rental demand. Hotels and motels serve most transient military-connected visitors.

9. 9

   Lakeland, FLFew RestrictionsNone required

   Lakeland has no city-specific short-term rental ordinance. Florida Statute §509.032 preempts local governments from regulating STRs based on stay length or rental frequency. State-level: Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license required if rented more than 3 times per year for stays under 30 days.

10. 10

    Norwalk, CAFew RestrictionsNone required

    Norwalk has not adopted a local short-term rental ordinance. Operators must still comply with California state-level transient occupancy tax and any platform requirements; no city-issued STR license exists.

11. 11

    Adams County, COFew RestrictionsNot required (unincorporated)

    Adams County does not currently have a county-specific short-term rental license or permit program. Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs are legal in unincorporated Adams County. Operators must still register a business with the Colorado Secretary of State, collect Adams County's 0.75% local sales tax plus 2.9% state sales tax, and may owe lodging tax on stays under 30 days. Colorado HB23-1287 authorizes - but does not require - counties to license STRs.

12. 12

    Fort Bend County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required — no STR ordinance

    Fort Bend County does NOT require a short-term rental (STR) permit or registration in unincorporated areas — the county has not adopted zoning and has no STR ordinance. However, Fort Bend County did adopt a county Hotel Occupancy Tax effective October 1, 2024 under Texas Tax Code Chapter 352: 7% outside city limits and 2% inside city limits, in addition to the 6% state HOT under Tax Code §156.051. Full enforcement began May 1, 2025, with monthly returns due to Avenu (HotelTaxOnline.com) by the 15th. STRs inside Fort Bend County cities (Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, Fulshear, Meadows Place) must follow that city's STR rules.

13. 13

    Bell County, TXFew RestrictionsNone required in unincorporated Bell County

    Bell County has no county-level short-term rental permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties generally lack zoning authority and cannot license residential land-uses outside subdivision and floodplain rules. The City of Belton (county seat) adopted its STR ordinance on March 13, 2023, requiring an annual STR permit. Killeen, Temple, and Harker Heights operate their own city-level STR rules. Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 (state hotel occupancy tax) applies to stays under 30 days regardless of location.

14. 14

    Monroe County, NYFew Restrictions

    Monroe County voted in December 2025 to opt out of New York State's new short-term rental registry. No county-level STR permit is required, but hosts must register with the Monroe County Treasurer for hotel room excise tax purposes.

15. 15

    Brazos County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required in unincorporated Brazos County

    Brazos County does NOT require a county-level permit, license, or registration to operate a short-term rental in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no general STR-licensing authority, and HB 2127 (2023, Texas Regulatory Consistency Act) further preempts much local STR regulation. STR operators must, however, collect and remit the 6% Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax. Inside Bryan and College Station, separate municipal STR registration and HOT collection rules apply.

16. 16

    Boone County, MOFew Restrictions

    Missouri has no statewide STR preemption. Boone County has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) ordinance for unincorporated areas. On Feb. 8, 2024, the County Commission adopted Rental Housing Standards under the authority of Mo. Rev. Stat. §64.207 (HB 271, 2021), but those standards apply to longer-term rented residences, not vacation lodging. STR operators must still comply with the underlying zoning district, the Boone County Building Code, and Missouri sales/lodging tax rules. The City of Columbia (most STRs in the county are inside Columbia) enforces its own STR ordinance effective June 1, 2024.

17. 17

    Cleveland County, OKFew RestrictionsNot required (unincorporated)

    Oklahoma has no statewide STR preemption or registration. Cleveland County does not maintain a county-wide STR ordinance for unincorporated areas. STRs inside city limits (Norman, Moore, Noble) are regulated by those cities. Hosts must collect Oklahoma 4.5% state sales tax and any applicable local lodging tax.

18. 18

    Greene County, MOFew RestrictionsNone required in unincorporated Greene County

    Greene County has not adopted a county-level short-term rental permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Missouri has no statewide STR preemption or licensing scheme, leaving regulation to local governments. A property in unincorporated Greene County is governed primarily by the Greene County Zoning Regulations (no STR-specific permit) and applicable Missouri lodging tax. Properties inside the City of Springfield are subject to Springfield's separate STR ordinance and permit categories administered by the City.

19. 19

    Hillsborough County, NHFew RestrictionsNot required (no county authority)

    Hillsborough County does not require a short-term rental license. New Hampshire has no statewide STR registration program either. The only state-level requirement is collecting and remitting the New Hampshire Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax of 8.5 percent under RSA 78-A:6 on any rental of a residential unit for less than 185 consecutive days. Cities and towns within the county (Manchester, Nashua, Merrimack, etc.) regulate STRs through local zoning under RSA 674.

20. 20

    Cass County, NDFew RestrictionsNot required (unincorporated)

    North Dakota has no statewide short-term rental preemption or licensing program. Cass County has not adopted a county-wide STR ordinance for unincorporated areas. Where rural townships have adopted zoning under NDCC Title 58, lodging or transient rental uses may be regulated through township zoning. STR operators must collect and remit North Dakota state sales tax (5%) and any applicable local lodging or gross receipts tax. Inside Fargo, West Fargo, and other municipalities, city ordinances apply.

21. 21

    Hidalgo County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required — no county STR ordinance

    Hidalgo County does NOT issue short-term rental (STR) permits. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county zoning authority over single-family residences in unincorporated areas, so the County cannot require STR registration. Operators must, however, collect the 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax under Tax Code §156.051 on rentals under 30 days, plus any applicable city HOT inside McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, or other incorporated areas. HB 2127 (2023) preempts certain local employment-related rules but did not establish statewide STR preemption.

22. 22

    Jefferson County, TXFew RestrictionsNone required in unincorporated Jefferson County

    Jefferson County has no county-level short-term rental permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties generally lack the zoning authority that cities use to license STRs. The City of Beaumont adopted its STR ordinance (Ord. ORD-26-001, codified at Sec. 28.04.009) requiring a permit and applying the city's 15% hotel occupancy tax to STRs. Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 (state hotel occupancy tax, 6%) applies to stays under 30 days regardless of location. Texas HB 2127 (88R, 2023) preemption litigation remains unresolved.

23. 23

    Midland County, TXFew RestrictionsNone required in unincorporated Midland County

    Midland County has no county-level short-term rental permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties generally lack zoning authority and cannot license residential land-uses outside subdivision and floodplain rules. The City of Midland's Short-Term Rental program took effect February 1, 2022, requiring registration, a permit, and remittance of a 7% city hotel occupancy tax. Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 (state hotel occupancy tax) applies to stays under 30 days regardless of location.

24. 24

    Montgomery County, OHFew RestrictionsNot required

    Montgomery County does not have a countywide short-term rental permit program. The City of Dayton states on its official site that it 'currently does not have a system in place to register or regulate STRs,' though Dayton has retained Avenu STR IP LLC to identify STR locations and is moving toward future regulation. STRs must collect Ohio's 5.75% state sales tax under R.C. 5739.02 and the Montgomery County lodging tax (3%) on stays under 30 days under R.C. 5739.09.

25. 25

    Taylor County, TXFew RestrictionsNot required (no county zoning)

    Taylor County does not have a short-term rental permit or license program for unincorporated areas — the county lacks zoning authority under Texas Local Government Code Ch. 233. The City of Abilene also does not currently require an STR-specific permit. All Texas STR operators must collect the 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax under Tax Code §156 on stays under 30 days. Texas HB 2127 (2023, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act) limits city regulation in fields occupied by state law.

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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