Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Houston County, AL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Houston County, AL, but with restrictions. Occupancy is limited to 2 guests per bedroom (excluding children under 12). Quiet hours are mandated from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Non-owner-occupied rentals (STCRs) must generally be located at least 250 feet from another STCR and may require a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment depending on the zone. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Occupancy is limited to 2 guests per bedroom (excluding children under 12). Quiet hours are mandated from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Non-owner-occupied rentals (STCRs) must generally be located at least 250 feet from another STCR and may require a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment depending on the zone.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Houston County. 1. Register the rental location via the city's online STR registration form. 2. Apply for a business license through the Dothan business license portal. 3. Provide proof of operation if the STR existed prior to October 4, 2022, and ensure compliance with zoning and performance standards.

1. Register the rental location via the city's online STR registration form. 2. Apply for a business license through the Dothan business license portal. 3. Provide proof of operation if the STR existed prior to October 4, 2022, and ensure compliance with zoning and performance standards.

Vrbo is permitted in Houston County, AL under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Houston County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Houston County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.