Washington County, UT Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Washington County, UT, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Lead time
- File 30 days before advertising
- Filed with
- Community Development Department
- Key proof
- Ownership, parking, compliance affidavit
- Detector proof
- Smoke/CO detectors, IRC standard
- Septic proof
- Pumping report within 3 years
- Decision type
- Final administrative decision
Summary
Washington County requires a written Short Term Rental License application filed with Community Development at least 30 days before advertising, including proof of ownership, parking, a compliance affidavit, and the application fee.
Application Required: At least 30 days prior to advertising a dwelling for short term rental, the owner shall file a written application with the Community Development Department on its approved form seeking a Short Term Rental License. The application shall not be deemed complete until all required information is submitted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-17: Code current through: Ord. 2026-1329-O, passed 8-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
D requires that, "at least 30 days prior to advertising a dwelling for short term rental," the owner file a written application with the Community Development Department on the county's approved form, and the application is not deemed complete until every required item is submitted. 1 is extensive: proof of ownership and the exact address (a); pictures of the dwelling (b); proof of one graveled or paved parking stall per approved bedroom (c); a site plan showing setbacks, dwelling size, bedroom count, parking, and trash disposal (d); the application fee (e); proof of the owner's primary residential exemption and full-time residency (f); 24/7 local property manager contact information if one is used (g); a Compliance Affidavit signed under penalty of law by all owners and owner-occupants certifying habitability and code compliance (h); proof of insurance for commercial rental use (h)(2); proof of operable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers per the adopted International Residential Code (i); proof of a yearly fire safety inspection where a fire special service district requires one for STRs hosting more than 10 guests (j); proof of septic system pumping within the last three years, or a report within two years for an initial application (k); and proof of adequate water rights for culinary, sewer, and fire protection where served by an on-site or community well (l).
The Community Development Department reviews the complete application and issues, conditionally approves, or denies the license as a final administrative decision; a denial may be appealed to a hearing officer under Title 10, Chapter 2.
Violations & Fines
Advertising or operating an STR before the license issues, or letting an application lapse incomplete, leaves the dwelling unlicensed and subject to § 10-13-23.R enforcement: a violation notice from Community Development can lead to civil penalties starting at a warning letter, then $500 a day, then $1,000 a day, or prosecution as a class B misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to apply for a Washington County STR license?
What does the Washington County STR Compliance Affidavit require me to certify?
Does my Washington County STR need a fire inspection before licensing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
How Washington County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Washington County to another location·View the Utah short-term rentals overview
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