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

10. 01, including that the owner or co-owner reside in the dwelling, that the business not occupy more than 49 percent of the home's gross floor area, and that it generate no nuisance from noise, odor, or traffic beyond the limits set for home businesses. On top of those baseline rules, the bed and breakfast standards add specifics: the host or hostess must be in residence during guest stays, no more than two families may be accommodated at one time, food may be served only to overnight guests and never to the general public, and guests must register their name, address, and vehicle license plate number upon arrival.

That guest log must be retained for three years and made available for inspection by Story County officials on request. The Planning and Development Director reviews the permit application against these standards, and the operator remains responsible for any other State or local permits and licenses that apply, such as food service or lodging requirements. A permit obtained under false pretenses or a business that later fails to meet the standards can be revisited through the county's inspection and complaint process, and expansion beyond these terms requires a conditional use permit rather than the by-right home business route.