Coeur d’Alene Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term (Vacation) Rental Permit

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Permitted as of right in all residential and commercial zones, MH-8 (manufactured home, if installed per state law), and DC zones.

Application Process

Apply online for an account at cdaid.org/License (ApplyForPersonAccount), then file an application with the City Clerk containing the owner's/responsible party's identity and contact information, the STR address, and a signed acknowledgment of joint responsibility for occupant/guest compliance. A City-approved Self-Inspection Checklist must be completed and filed at application and again each year the rental operates; the ordinance does not describe a separate City-conducted inspection.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 8% (6% Idaho state sales tax + 2% Idaho travel and convention tax; Coeur d'Alene/Kootenai County is not within any Idaho auditorium district and has no local-option lodging tax) of gross rental income.

Collection: Hosts self-remit Idaho sales tax and travel & convention tax to the Idaho State Tax Commission, unless a registered short-term rental marketplace (e.g., Airbnb) collects and remits the tax on the host's behalf for those bookings.

Filing: Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually) is assigned by the Idaho State Tax Commission based on sales volume; monthly filers must file by the 20th of the month following the tax period. Returns are filed electronically via the Taxpayer Access Point (TAP), using Form 1152 for the travel and convention tax.

Rental Limits

Coeur d’Alene does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 30 days maximum per stay (2-night minimum).

Occupancy & Density Limits

Overnight guests may not exceed the Municipal Code § 17.02.055(B) definition of “family”; non-Occupant guests may only be present while an Occupant is present and may not stay overnight.

Zoning & Restrictions

Permitted as of right in all residential and commercial zones, MH-8 (manufactured home, if installed per state law), and DC zones, subject to the Article's standards and any permit requirements

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Coeur d’Alene does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• A City-approved Self-Inspection Checklist must be completed and filed with the application, and re-filed annually while the Short-Term Rental operates
• A notice must be posted on or near the front door including the rental address, emergency contact numbers, and a Fire-Department-approved emergency exit route diagram
• The street number of the Short-Term Rental must be posted per Fire Department IFC requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

First offense: civil penalty in an amount established by Resolution of the City Council (amount not specified in the codified ordinance). Second and any subsequent offense: misdemeanor under Municipal Code 1.28.010 (fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days imprisonment). Three or more violations of the Short-Term Rental Article in a calendar year: the City may revoke the permit and bar issuance of a new permit for up to 3 years, subject to written notice and an appeal/hearing process.

Platform Requirements

• All advertising for the Short-Term Rental must include the City permit number and the maximum number of vehicles accommodated by off-street parking spaces
• No signage indicating the property is an STR or for rent/lease may be visible from other public or private property.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Coeur d’Alene:

1. Meet safety requirements. A City-approved Self-Inspection Checklist must be completed and filed with the application, and re-filed annually while the Short-Term Rental operates. A notice must be posted on or near the front door including the rental address, emergency contact numbers, and a Fire-Department-approved emergency exit route diagram. The street number of the Short-Term Rental must be posted per Fire Department IFC requirements.
2. Apply for Short-Term (Vacation) Rental Permit. Submit application + $285 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Idaho State Tax Commission.
4. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 8% (6% Idaho state sales tax + 2% Idaho travel and convention tax; Coeur d'Alene/Kootenai County is not within any Idaho auditorium district and has no local-option lodging tax) on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $180 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Coeur d’Alene?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Coeur d’Alene requires a Short-Term (Vacation) Rental Permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Coeur d’Alene?

A Short-Term (Vacation) Rental Permit in Coeur d’Alene costs $285 per year. Renewal is $180 per year.

Does Coeur d’Alene require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Coeur d’Alene allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Coeur d’Alene?

Coeur d’Alene does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Coeur d’Alene?

Short-term rental stays in Coeur d’Alene are subject to a combined 8% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Idaho Sales Tax + 2% Idaho Travel and Convention Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Coeur d’Alene?

First offense: civil penalty in an amount established by Resolution of the City Council (amount not specified in the codified ordinance).