Short-Term Rental Regulations
in DeKalb County, IN

Airbnb listings are allowed in DeKalb County, IN, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are limited to one per property and must meet primary structure setbacks. Properties may have signage up to 20 square feet, and the definition of STRs follows Indiana Code IC 36-1-24, excluding non-residential buildings, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels. 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.

Short-term rentals are limited to one per property and must meet primary structure setbacks. Properties may have signage up to 20 square feet, and the definition of STRs follows Indiana Code IC 36-1-24, excluding non-residential buildings, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in DeKalb County. 1. Obtain an Improvement Location Permit from the Zoning Administrator. 2. Provide any additional information required by the Zoning Administrator per IC 36-1-24-11. 3. Renew the permit annually on or around January 1.

1. Obtain an Improvement Location Permit from the Zoning Administrator. 2. Provide any additional information required by the Zoning Administrator per IC 36-1-24-11. 3. Renew the permit annually on or around January 1.

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