Ada County, ID Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy standard
- Building-code residential limit
- STR-only lower caps
- Prohibited by state law
- Statute
- Idaho Code 67-6539(3)(d)
- Code basis
- International Building Codes
- Confirm with
- Ada County Development Services
Summary
Ada County may set STR occupancy limits, but only up to the same maximum that building code allows for any non-transient residence. Idaho Code 67-6539 bars stricter guest caps aimed only at short-term rentals.
Maximum occupancy limits for short-term rentals do not exceed those non-transient residential limits as contained in the international building codes as adopted by the Idaho building code board.
Full Breakdown
Idaho Code 67-6539(3)(d) permits a county or city to require that maximum occupancy limits for STRs not exceed the non-transient residential limits in the International Building Codes as adopted by the Idaho building code board. In practice, occupancy is tied to the dwelling's building-code capacity, not a special STR headcount. Ada County cannot impose lower, STR-only occupancy caps. Occupancy typically scales with bedrooms, egress and square footage under the adopted residential/building codes; confirm your dwelling's rated capacity with Ada County Development Services.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding building-code occupancy can prompt code-enforcement action under the applicable building and safety codes; there is no STR-specific overcrowding penalty beyond those codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can my Ada County STR hold?
Can the county cap my guests at, say, six?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ada County
Compare Ada County to another location·View the Idaho short-term rentals overview
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