Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Deadwood, SD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Deadwood, SD, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are defined as Bed and Breakfast, Specialty Resort, and Vacation Home establishments; transient commercial use of residential property is expressly prohibited in residential land use districts (R1 and R2) except where the ordinance expressly permits specific short-term rental categories. Bed and Breakfasts may be allowed in Residential, Commercial and Commercial Highway districts with an approved Conditional Use Permit; Specialty Resorts and Vacation Home Establishments are allowed only in Commercial and Commercial Highway districts (Vacation Home Establishments limited to upper floors of commercial structures within the local historic district). First-floor use for short-term rentals is prohibited within the local historic district; the building inspector may inspect premises for Building Code compliance. Approved CUPs are reviewed annually. 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 defined as Bed and Breakfast, Specialty Resort, and Vacation Home establishments; transient commercial use of residential property is expressly prohibited in residential land use districts (R1 and R2) except where the ordinance expressly permits specific short-term rental categories. Bed and Breakfasts may be allowed in Residential, Commercial and Commercial Highway districts with an approved Conditional Use Permit; Specialty Resorts and Vacation Home Establishments are allowed only in Commercial and Commercial Highway districts (Vacation Home Establishments limited to upper floors of commercial structures within the local historic district). First-floor use for short-term rentals is prohibited within the local historic district; the building inspector may inspect premises for Building Code compliance. Approved CUPs are reviewed annually.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Deadwood. 1) Apply for and obtain a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Deadwood under the process established in Chapter 17.76 (application to Planning & Zoning Commission). 2) Provide required documentation to the Planning & Zoning Office: proof of South Dakota state excise tax certificates, proof of lodging license from the South Dakota Department of Health, proof of enrollment with applicable business improvement district(s), and obtain/maintain City of Deadwood business license and short-term rental license; establish commercial water, sewer and refuse accounts if required. 3) Comply with Building Code inspections (Title 15) and note that approved CUPs are reviewed annually by the Planning & Zoning Commission/Board.

1) Apply for and obtain a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Deadwood under the process established in Chapter 17.76 (application to Planning & Zoning Commission). 2) Provide required documentation to the Planning & Zoning Office: proof of South Dakota state excise tax certificates, proof of lodging license from the South Dakota Department of Health, proof of enrollment with applicable business improvement district(s), and obtain/maintain City of Deadwood business license and short-term rental license; establish commercial water, sewer and refuse accounts if required. 3) Comply with Building Code inspections (Title 15) and note that approved CUPs are reviewed annually by the Planning & Zoning Commission/Board.

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