Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Hot Springs?

Yes. Hot Springs requires Short-Term Residential Rental Business License, and the fee is $200. Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) are legal in Hot Springs, but every property needs an annual Short-Term Residential Rental Business License costing $50 per person of authorized maximum overnight occupancy ($200 minimum), due January 1 each year, plus a Special Use Permit ($475) in residential zones. The biggest restriction is a 400-license cap in residential zones, which has been met — per the city's July 2025 update, new residential-zone licenses are not available and there is no waitlist, though non-residential-zone and cap-exempt condo/HPR applications are still accepted. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Hot Springs?

The Short-Term Residential Rental Business License fee in Hot Springs is $200, renewed annual. Annual license fee/occupation tax is $50 per person per year based on the maximum overnight occupancy authorized by the license (per the ordinance's example, an 8-person occupancy pays $400/yr); the minimum fee is $200 and fees are not prorated. permit_fee_cents reflects the $200 minimum. New licenses in residential zones (when available), in post-1/18/2022 Planned Developments, and in HPRs/condos established on or after 1/18/2022 also require a Special Use Permit carrying the same fee as a conditional use permit under HSC 16-1-7, currently $475. License transfer processing fee is $100. Late fees: 10% assessed March 1, 30% assessed April 1; licenses not renewed before May 1 lapse, and a lapsed license must reapply as an initial applicant. A Certificate of Occupancy inspection is required for new licenses; re-inspection is only required if maximum occupancy changes.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Hot Springs, AR (2026)

Hot Springs requires Short-Term Residential Rental Business License — the fee is $200, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Residential Rental Business License
Permit fee	$200
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs are licensed in both residential and non-residential zoning districts. Residential zones — currently designated RR, RS, and RN-1 through RN-6 (the codified STR chapter references the former R-1 through R-4 and R-L districts and Planned Developments established after 1/18/2022) — require a Special Use Permit from the Planning & Development Director and are subject to an aggregate cap of 400 licenses (effective Jan. 1, 2023 under Ordinance No. 6435). The cap has been met: per the city's 7/1/2025 update, new residential-zone licenses are not available and no waitlist exists; under the ordinance the application portal reopens the second Monday of July only if the count falls below 400 after May 1. Non-residential zones (C-TR, CN, CMU, CG, CBD, IL, IH, IMU) and HPRs/condos recorded before Jan. 18, 2022 are exempt from the cap and applications there are being accepted. Overnight occupancy is capped at 2 per bedroom plus 2; daytime presence at 150% of overnight occupancy; commercial functions/events are prohibited; off-street parking per residential requirements and a local contact person able to be on-site within 60 minutes are required.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Residential Rental Business License
Submit the Short-Term Residential Rental Business License application to Hot Springs and pay the $200 fee. Annual license fee/occupation tax is $50 per person per year based on the maximum overnight occupancy authorized by the license (per the ordinance's example, an 8-person occupancy pays $400/yr); the minimum fee is $200 and fees are not prorated. permit_fee_cents reflects the $200 minimum. New licenses in residential zones (when available), in post-1/18/2022 Planned Developments, and in HPRs/condos established on or after 1/18/2022 also require a Special Use Permit carrying the same fee as a conditional use permit under HSC 16-1-7, currently $475. License transfer processing fee is $100. Late fees: 10% assessed March 1, 30% assessed April 1; licenses not renewed before May 1 lapse, and a lapsed license must reapply as an initial applicant. A Certificate of Occupancy inspection is required for new licenses; re-inspection is only required if maximum occupancy changes.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Hot Springs. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Hot Springs changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Hot Springs before applying.

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