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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Devils Lake, ND

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Any dwelling (house, apartment, or similar premises) offered for occupancy by a renter requires a City-issued certificate of tenancy; premises must pass inspections by the Devils Lake Fire Department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit and comply with fire, building, and public-health rules (including smoke-detection requirements). Certificates are registered in the Devils Lake City offices and valid one year; landlords must annually provide the fire department a list of rental properties.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Obtain and submit the Certificate of Tenancy application form to the Devils Lake Fire Department (forms furnished by the city). 2) Arrange and pass inspections by the fire department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit; upon satisfactory inspection the Fire Chief/Building Official/Health Unit issue the certificate, which is then registered in city offices. 3) Maintain certificate (valid one year) and comply with smoke-detector and other code provisions; no inspection fee unless the party misses/reschedules the inspection (reschedule fee $100 explicitly stated).

Official Resources

Official Devils Lake STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Devils Lake, ND?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Devils Lake, ND, but with restrictions. Any dwelling (house, apartment, or similar premises) offered for occupancy by a renter requires a City-issued certificate of tenancy; premises must pass inspections by the Devils Lake Fire Department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit and comply with fire, building, and public-health rules (including smoke-detection requirements). Certificates are registered in the Devils Lake City offices and valid one year; landlords must annually provide the fire department a list of rental properties. 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.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Devils Lake, ND?
Any dwelling (house, apartment, or similar premises) offered for occupancy by a renter requires a City-issued certificate of tenancy; premises must pass inspections by the Devils Lake Fire Department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit and comply with fire, building, and public-health rules (including smoke-detection requirements). Certificates are registered in the Devils Lake City offices and valid one year; landlords must annually provide the fire department a list of rental properties.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Devils Lake?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Devils Lake. 1) Obtain and submit the Certificate of Tenancy application form to the Devils Lake Fire Department (forms furnished by the city). 2) Arrange and pass inspections by the fire department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit; upon satisfactory inspection the Fire Chief/Building Official/Health Unit issue the certificate, which is then registered in city offices. 3) Maintain certificate (valid one year) and comply with smoke-detector and other code provisions; no inspection fee unless the party misses/reschedules the inspection (reschedule fee $100 explicitly stated).
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Devils Lake?
1) Obtain and submit the Certificate of Tenancy application form to the Devils Lake Fire Department (forms furnished by the city). 2) Arrange and pass inspections by the fire department, the City Building Official, and the Lake Region District Health Unit; upon satisfactory inspection the Fire Chief/Building Official/Health Unit issue the certificate, which is then registered in city offices. 3) Maintain certificate (valid one year) and comply with smoke-detector and other code provisions; no inspection fee unless the party misses/reschedules the inspection (reschedule fee $100 explicitly stated).
Is Vrbo legal in Devils Lake, ND?
Vrbo is permitted in Devils Lake, ND 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.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Devils Lake?
Short-term rental hosts in Devils Lake 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Devils Lake?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Devils Lake. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction