StaySTRa.com

Boise, Idaho, has established a regulatory framework for short-term rentals (STRs) that hosts need to understand to operate legally and successfully. While the city recognizes the opportunities STRs provide, it also emphasizes compliance with zoning, safety, and taxation requirements. Hosts can anticipate that operating an STR in Boise involves obtaining proper permits, adhering to rules about the property’s primary residence status, and meeting health and safety standards. This regulatory environment seeks to balance the interests of property owners, guests, and the wider community, requiring hosts to carefully navigate local ordinances and city codes.

### Key Regulatory Considerations:

– Licensing and Permits: Hosts must apply for a short-term rental permit through the City of Boise. This process involves an application fee, inspection, and renewal on a periodic basis. The permit certifies that the property complies with city standards for STRs.

– Primary Residence Requirements: Boise’s regulations typically require that the STR be the host’s primary residence, though some variations and specific allowances might exist. This means the property cannot be solely an investment rental but must be the place where the host primarily lives.

– Zoning and Location: STRs are permitted in certain zoning districts; hosts must verify if their property’s zoning designation allows STR operations. Some residential neighborhoods may have restrictions or be excluded altogether.

– Occupancy, Health & Safety: Regulations mandate adequate safety provisions such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. Occupancy limits are enforced to ensure guest safety and neighborhood compatibility.

– Tax Obligations: Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes and possibly other applicable sales taxes. Compliance with tax registration and reporting to state and local tax authorities is mandatory.

– Operational Standards & Enforcement: Boise enforces rules related to advertising accuracy, noise control, guest behavior management, and property maintenance. Violations can lead to fines, permit suspension, or revocation.

For the most current and legally binding information, property owners should consult the City of Boise’s Official Short-Term Rental Regulations page. This resource provides detailed guidance, application forms, ordinance texts, and contact information for city departments involved in STR oversight.

Operating a short-term rental in Boise requires attentiveness to these rules to ensure a successful hosting experience while preserving community standards and safety.