Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Mobile County, AL

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Mobile County, AL, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. Operators must obtain a City of Mobile business license and display the license number on all advertisements. Requirements include a 24/7 local responsible party, minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance, and compliance with building/fire codes (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress windows). "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Operators must obtain a City of Mobile business license and display the license number on all advertisements. Requirements include a 24/7 local responsible party, minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance, and compliance with building/fire codes (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress windows).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Mobile County. 1. Apply for a City of Mobile business license for short-term lodging, providing proof of $1M liability insurance and owner authorization. 2. If required by zoning, submit a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to BuildMobile with a $500 fee, site plan, and neighborhood meeting documentation. 3. Pass a safety inspection by a licensed home inspector (single-family) or City fire/building inspector (multi-family) prior to license issuance.

1. Apply for a City of Mobile business license for short-term lodging, providing proof of $1M liability insurance and owner authorization. 2. If required by zoning, submit a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to BuildMobile with a $500 fee, site plan, and neighborhood meeting documentation. 3. Pass a safety inspection by a licensed home inspector (single-family) or City fire/building inspector (multi-family) prior to license issuance.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Mobile County, AL, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Mobile 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 Mobile County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.