Skip to content

Can I Airbnb?

Can I run an Airbnb in my city?

Pick your city for a cited answer: the licence or permit you need, whether it has to be your primary residence, any night cap and zoning limits, plus the lodging tax a guest pays. The source is linked behind every field.

The four use types we check

Each city page runs a deterministic eligibility check for these, because the rules often differ by how you intend to rent:

  • My primary residence (home-share). You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.
  • A whole second home / investment property. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.
  • An ADU, basement or garage unit. An accessory dwelling on your property.
  • Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site. The strictest category in most cities.

Choose your city

Each links straight to its cited rules and lodging tax.

Austin

TX

About 17% combined lodging tax

Charleston

SC

About 12% combined lodging tax

Chicago

IL

About 27.75% combined lodging tax

Dallas

TX

About 15% combined lodging tax

Denver

CO

About 14.75% combined lodging tax

Las Vegas

NV

About 13% combined lodging tax

Los Angeles

CA

About 14% combined lodging tax

Palm Springs

CA

About 12.5% combined lodging tax

Phoenix

AZ

About 12.57% combined lodging tax

Portland

OR

About 13% combined lodging tax

San Diego

CA

About 10.5% combined lodging tax

San Francisco

CA

About 14% combined lodging tax

Scottsdale

AZ

About 14.27% combined lodging tax

Seattle

WA

About 10.35% combined lodging tax

Browse all short-term rental rules

FAQ

Before you list

How do I find out if I can run an Airbnb in my city?

Open your city's page below. It lists whether a licence or permit is required, whether the property has to be your primary residence, any annual night cap, and zoning limits, each field citing the jurisdiction that set it. Where a rule is not confirmed on an official source, it is marked Unverified rather than guessed.

What usually stops a whole-home short-term rental?

The most common blocker is a primary-residence rule: many cities only allow short-term rentals in a home you actually live in, which limits or bars a dedicated investment property. After that come night caps, zoning limits, and a requirement to display a permit number on the listing. Each city page shows which of these apply.

Does this replace checking with the city?

No. LodgeDeck reports publicly available rules and cites the source of each, but ordinances change often and automated collection can lag. Treat each page as a cited starting point and confirm with the jurisdiction before you list. It is not legal advice.

Save your city and watch it for changes

Free to check any city. Save a property and get an email when a rule or rate changes, on Pro.