Ames, IA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Sec. 35.300 sets the baseline rule that no person may advertise, offer, let, or operate a Short-Term Rental in Ames without either full compliance with Chapter 13's Rental Housing Code or registration under Chapter 35. Sec. 35.500(2) lays out that registration process. Under Sec. 35.500(2)(a), the Short-Term Rental Registration must be submitted on forms provided by the City, and Sec. 35.500(2)(b) confirms registration is voluntary and requires no fee. Sec. 35.500(2)(c) requires complete and accurate information, and city staff review a submission within five working days for completeness under Sec.

35.500(2)(c)(i). If information is missing, Sec. 35.500(2)(c)(ii) requires the City to notify the applicant in writing explaining what is needed; if the applicant does not respond within 31 days of that notice, the registration is deemed withdrawn for lack of responsiveness. A complete registration in compliance with the code is approved under Sec. 35.500(2)(c)(iii), but Sec. 35.500(2)(c)(iv) also allows a time-limited conditional approval, capped at three months and not renewable, for an applicant still coming into full compliance. Sec. 35.500(2)(c)(v) lets the City deny or decline to renew a registration based on any violation of the code, including verified complaints involving the zoning code, building code, or other applicable laws, and a denial strips the property of its Chapter 35 exemption from full Chapter 13 compliance.

Registrations run for one year under Sec. 35.500(4)(a) and must be renewed annually before expiration, and Sec. 35.500(5) makes the registration non-transferable to a new owner or a different property.