Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Ada County, ID

Airbnb listings are allowed in Ada County, ID, but with restrictions. Ada County defines “Short Term Rental” as "A lease of a residential dwelling or portion thereof that is less than one (1) month in duration..." (Title 8 definitions). The Ada County Zoning Ordinance Table 8-13E-1 lists Short term rental as a permitted (P) or conditional (C) use depending on the base zoning district. The cited county code sections and table do not state occupancy caps, minimum-night stays, primary-residence requirements, host-presence rules, or platform registration requirements. 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.

Ada County defines “Short Term Rental” as "A lease of a residential dwelling or portion thereof that is less than one (1) month in duration..." (Title 8 definitions). The Ada County Zoning Ordinance Table 8-13E-1 lists Short term rental as a permitted (P) or conditional (C) use depending on the base zoning district. The cited county code sections and table do not state occupancy caps, minimum-night stays, primary-residence requirements, host-presence rules, or platform registration requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Ada County. 1) Confirm the property’s base zoning and consult Table 8-13E-1 to see if Short term rental is a permitted use (P) or requires a Conditional Use (C). 2) If an Accessory/Conditional/Other approval is required, submit the Master Application and the applicable Accessory-Use or Conditional-Use application/checklist through Ada County Development Services and pay fees listed on the county’s Application Fees page. 3) For Conditional Uses, follow Chapter 6 procedures (pre-application meeting with planning staff, public notice and hearing) as required; contact Development Services at 208-287-7900 to schedule the pre-application meeting.

1) Confirm the property’s base zoning and consult Table 8-13E-1 to see if Short term rental is a permitted use (P) or requires a Conditional Use (C). 2) If an Accessory/Conditional/Other approval is required, submit the Master Application and the applicable Accessory-Use or Conditional-Use application/checklist through Ada County Development Services and pay fees listed on the county’s Application Fees page. 3) For Conditional Uses, follow Chapter 6 procedures (pre-application meeting with planning staff, public notice and hearing) as required; contact Development Services at 208-287-7900 to schedule the pre-application meeting.

Vrbo is permitted in Ada County, ID 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 Ada 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 Ada County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.