St. George, UT Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- One per owner, not per unit
- Transfer notice
- 30 days written notice
- Owner-occupied exception
- Absence of 3 years or less
- Governing ordinance
- Rental Fit Premises Ordinance
Summary
St. George requires a business license for every rental dwelling unit in the city, with a narrow owner-occupied exception for temporary absences.
It is unlawful for any person to keep, conduct, operate or maintain a rental dwelling unit within the city without a business license for such dwelling. A person who owns multiple rental dwelling units or multiple buildings containing rental dwelling units is not required to obtain more than one business license for the operation and maintenance of those rental dwelling units.
B. A rental dwelling unit business license is not transferable between persons or structures. Any person holding such license shall give written notice within thirty (30) days to the business license official after having transferred or otherwise disposed of legal or equitable control of any rental dwelling unit licensed under this chapter. Such notice of transferred interest shall be deemed a request to cancel an existing business license for such rental dwelling unit and shall include the name, address, and information regarding the person(s) succeeding to the ownership or control thereof. The new owner shall obtain a business license as required by this chapter.
C. A business license shall not be required for a dwelling unit which is ordinarily owner occupied but is temporarily rented because:
1. The owner is placed in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility or other similar facility, or
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the city's Rental Fit Premises Ordinance, it is unlawful to keep, operate, or maintain a rental dwelling unit in St. George without a business license. Owners of multiple rental units need only one license total. The license does not transfer with a sale: the seller must notify the business license official in writing within 30 days, and the new owner must obtain its own license. A license is not required for a normally owner-occupied home rented temporarily while the owner is hospitalized or in a care facility, or away on a bona fide temporary absence (job assignment, sabbatical, service) of three years or less.
Violations & Fines
Operating a rental dwelling unit without the required business license is unlawful under City Code § 4-7-3(A); the ordinance is enforced through the city's business license official under the Rental Fit Premises chapter's general penalty provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does each rental unit need its own license?
Is a license required if I sell my rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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