St George Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Residential Rental Property Business License

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 12.25% of gross rental income.

Filing: Filed with the Utah State Tax Commission; sales and related tax returns are due the last day of the month after the filing period (filing frequency assigned by liability).

Rental Limits

St George does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: Under 30 consecutive days (Utah's statutory threshold for transient/short-term lodging; stays of 30 or more consecutive days are not classified as short-term rentals and fall outside STR and transient room tax regulation).

Zoning & Restrictions

A single-family residence may be permitted as a short-term residential rental property only if it is located on a lot of two (2) acres or larger, is contiguous to and fronts on a major collector or arterial street (66-foot right-of-way or more), and is separated by at least 500 feet from another short-term rental property. Applicable STR properties must also comply with landscape maintenance requirements under section 4-7-11.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

St George 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

• Each property shall comply with the sanitary facilities requirements outlined for motels in the code
• Each property shall be cleaned at least weekly while occupied and between tenant occupancy
• Garbage shall be removed and properly disposed of within 24 hours of tenants leaving the property

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any rental dwelling unit found in violation may be subject to revocation of the short term residential rental properties business license; the owner and property manager are jointly and severally liable for any violations.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in St George:

1. Meet safety requirements. Each property shall comply with the sanitary facilities requirements outlined for motels in the code. Each property shall be cleaned at least weekly while occupied and between tenant occupancy. Garbage shall be removed and properly disposed of within 24 hours of tenants leaving the property.
2. Apply for Short Term Residential Rental Property Business License. Submit application.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Utah State Tax Commission.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 12.25% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in St George?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in St George requires a Short Term Residential Rental Property Business License.

Does St George require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. St George 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 St George?

St George 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 St George?

Short-term rental stays in St George are subject to a combined 12.25% in lodging taxes. This combines 1.00% Municipality Transient Room Tax + 4.50% County Transient Room Tax + 6.75% State & Local Sales and Use Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in St George?

Operating without a permit can cost up to Class B misdemeanor: fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment up to six (6) months.