Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Dent County, MO

Airbnb listings are allowed in Dent County, MO, but with restrictions. In the City of Salem, vacation rentals are restricted by zoning; a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required in residential districts. Occupancy is limited to two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, and one off-street parking space must be provided per guest room. Operators must also maintain safety equipment (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers) and remain in good standing with Dent County tourism tax remittance. 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 the City of Salem, vacation rentals are restricted by zoning; a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required in residential districts. Occupancy is limited to two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, and one off-street parking space must be provided per guest room. Operators must also maintain safety equipment (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers) and remain in good standing with Dent County tourism tax remittance.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Dent County. 1. Submit a vacation rental license application to the City Clerk and, if in a residential zone, apply for a Conditional Use Permit. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection by the Building Inspector to ensure compliance with occupancy and safety standards. 3. Obtain a Missouri Tax ID and a Dent County Merchants License ($25) and remit the 2% Tourism Tax to the County Collector.

1. Submit a vacation rental license application to the City Clerk and, if in a residential zone, apply for a Conditional Use Permit. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection by the Building Inspector to ensure compliance with occupancy and safety standards. 3. Obtain a Missouri Tax ID and a Dent County Merchants License ($25) and remit the 2% Tourism Tax to the County Collector.

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