Short-Term Rental Regulations
in West Lafayette, IN

Airbnb listings are allowed in West Lafayette, IN, but with restrictions. Transient guest accommodations are categorized as rooms (owner present), rentals (owner-occupied, 60-day limit), or houses (non-owner occupied). In West Lafayette, transient guest houses are prohibited in R1, R1A, R1B, and R1U single-family zones per Ordinance No. 17-2024; elsewhere, they require specific zoning compliance, additional on-site parking, and strict occupancy limits of 14 consecutive days. 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.

Transient guest accommodations are categorized as rooms (owner present), rentals (owner-occupied, 60-day limit), or houses (non-owner occupied). In West Lafayette, transient guest houses are prohibited in R1, R1A, R1B, and R1U single-family zones per Ordinance No. 17-2024; elsewhere, they require specific zoning compliance, additional on-site parking, and strict occupancy limits of 14 consecutive days.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in West Lafayette. 1) Verify property zoning and obtain a land-use permit from the Administrative Officer per UZO 4-11-13. 2) Register the property with the West Lafayette Building Department using the Property Owner Registration and Occupancy Affidavit forms. 3) Schedule and pass a safety inspection through the Rental Housing Inspection program and pay all applicable registration and inspection fees.

1) Verify property zoning and obtain a land-use permit from the Administrative Officer per UZO 4-11-13. 2) Register the property with the West Lafayette Building Department using the Property Owner Registration and Occupancy Affidavit forms. 3) Schedule and pass a safety inspection through the Rental Housing Inspection program and pay all applicable registration and inspection fees.

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