Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lawrence County, SD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lawrence County, SD, but with restrictions. Lawrence County defines 'Vacation Home Rental' as rentals of 1–30 nights. Accessory 'Guest Houses' providing short-term accommodations are permitted only in A-1, A-2, PF, RR, and SRD districts with a Special Use Permit, subject to a 3-acre minimum lot size, a maximum size of 1,000 sq ft (or 50% of the main dwelling), and a 180-day annual occupancy limit. 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.

Lawrence County defines 'Vacation Home Rental' as rentals of 1–30 nights. Accessory 'Guest Houses' providing short-term accommodations are permitted only in A-1, A-2, PF, RR, and SRD districts with a Special Use Permit, subject to a 3-acre minimum lot size, a maximum size of 1,000 sq ft (or 50% of the main dwelling), and a 180-day annual occupancy limit.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lawrence County. 1) Consult with the Lawrence County Planning & Zoning Director to discuss the proposal. 2) Submit a Special Use Permit (for Guest Houses) or Temporary Use Permit application with a $250 non-refundable fee at least 45 days in advance. 3) The Planning Department reviews the application for compliance within 30 days, which may include a public hearing before the County Commission.

1) Consult with the Lawrence County Planning & Zoning Director to discuss the proposal. 2) Submit a Special Use Permit (for Guest Houses) or Temporary Use Permit application with a $250 non-refundable fee at least 45 days in advance. 3) The Planning Department reviews the application for compliance within 30 days, which may include a public hearing before the County Commission.

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