How to get a short-term rental permit in Moab, UT (2026)
Moab requires Nightly Rental Business License — the fee is $250, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Nightly Rental Business License |
| Permit fee | $250 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Residential short-term rentals (30 days or less) are prohibited in zones A-2, C-1, C-3, C-5, FW, I-1, R&D-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RA-1 and all other zones where short-term rentals are not listed as a permitted use (MMC 17.09.700, replaced by Ord. 2024-03). Exceptions: bed and breakfast facilities and guest apartments complying with Chapter 17.70 or 17.71, and 'accommodations for qualifying participants' operated by adaptive recreational service providers in the C-3 zone (added 2024). In 2019 the city removed new overnight accommodations from all zones; existing 'established overnight accommodations' shown on the Established Overnight Accommodations Map are legal, conforming uses that may make improvements but may not add new overnight accommodation units (e.g., MMC 17.27.020, C-4 zone). No license is granted unless nightly rental is an allowed land use in the underlying zone (MMC 5.67.100.A). Maximum occupancy is 10 persons per rental (more only with fire-suppression approval) and maximum stay is 30 consecutive days.
- 2
Apply for the Nightly Rental Business License
Submit the Nightly Rental Business License application to Moab and pay the $250 fee. $250.00 initial application plus $52.00 annual renewal for 'Nightly rentals, 4 units or less' (Master Fee Schedule 3.50.050, current through Ord. 2025-08). Fee is assessed per property location; an owner with multiple nightly rental properties must obtain a separate license for each property but may list up to four locations on one application. Fee was raised from $116 initial/$26 renewal by Ord. 2023-06. Pre-license inspection by the Building Inspector, Fire Chief and Health Department is required.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Moab. 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 Moab changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Moab for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Moab before applying.