Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Franklin County, IA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Franklin County, IA, but with restrictions. In Franklin County (unincorporated), no specific STR constraints were identified. In the City of Hampton, rental properties must be registered if not owner-occupied, undergo safety inspections, and comply with the International Property Maintenance Code; permits are valid for five years. 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.

In Franklin County (unincorporated), no specific STR constraints were identified. In the City of Hampton, rental properties must be registered if not owner-occupied, undergo safety inspections, and comply with the International Property Maintenance Code; permits are valid for five years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Franklin County. 1. Submit a completed registration form and initial inspection fee ($75) to City Hall. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection based on the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code. 3. Pay the permit fee ($20 for single-family/duplex) to receive a permit valid for five years.

1. Submit a completed registration form and initial inspection fee ($75) to City Hall. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection based on the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code. 3. Pay the permit fee ($20 for single-family/duplex) to receive a permit valid for five years.

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