Brian Head, Utah Short-Term Rental Market
Brian Head STRs averaged $210/night at 46.9% occupancy in April 2026, in Utah's highest-elevation ski resort village with summer hiking and mountain biking demand.
Quick Answer: Brian Head, Utah is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Utah Area market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the Utah Area market area is $3,975. average daily rate in the Utah Area market area is $276. the top operator in the Utah Area market area is Evolve with 338 listings. market score is 53/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Utah Area regional market, which includes Brian Head. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Brian Head.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Brian Head is a tiny mountain resort community in Iron County, Utah, at an elevation of approximately 9,800 feet. The town’s population of approximately 157 permanent residents supports an overwhelmingly STR-driven economy, drawing ski visitors to Brian Head Resort and summer recreation enthusiasts to Cedar Breaks National Monument and Dixie National Forest. The area draws approximately 150,000 annual visitors.
As of April 2026, the average daily rate is $210, occupancy is 46.9%, and RevPAR is $98. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 1.1 percentage points while ADR rose 5.1%, producing a revenue decline of 4.0% versus April 2025.
Brian Head Town requires an Annual Nightly Rental Business License with a notably complex fee structure: a new application fee of $151, an annual disproportionate cost-of-service fee of $536 per cabin or $197 per condo, plus fire inspection fees. The total licensing cost is one of the higher fee structures in this batch at approximately $687+ per year for cabins.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 47% |
| Mar | 50% |
| Apr | 46% |
| May | 55% |
| Jun | 59% |
| Jul | 60% |
| Aug | 50% |
| Sep | 49% |
| Oct | 49% |
| Nov | 41% |
| Dec | 46% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Brian Head are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Utah Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Utah Area market as a whole, which includes Brian Head, so these counts are not Brian Head-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 338 | 18,623 | ★ 4.75 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 150 | 4,266 | ★ 4.51 |
| 3 | Family Time Vacation Rentals | 124 | 3,954 | ★ 4.47 |
| 4 | Stay Midway | 96 | 824 | ★ 4.13 |
| 5 | Midway Vacation Properties | 89 | 2,048 | ★ 4.52 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Brian Head?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Brian Head are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 37.4% |
| vrbo | 6.9% |
| both | 55.6% |
Home Value Trends (Brian Head)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Brian Head are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Brian Head — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Brian Head Town requires an Annual Nightly Rental Business License for all stays under 30 consecutive days, governed by Town Code Title 3, Chapter 2A (most recently amended by Ordinance 25-004 in 2025). Operators must pass a fire inspection before renting, with biennial reinspection thereafter.
The fee structure is complex: new application fee is $151 per unit; annual Disproportionate Cost of Service Fee is $536 per cabin or $197 per condo (allocated to public safety and code enforcement); fire inspection fee is $30 initial and $30 per reinspection. Licenses expire September 30 annually; renewal is $122 per unit. The total annual cost is approximately $687 for cabin operators (renewal $122 + annual service fee $536 + reinspection in applicable years).
Non-owner-occupied properties are permitted in all residential zones. No owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement applies. No annual maximum night cap has been identified. The combined lodging tax rate is approximately 11.27%: Utah state sales tax 4.85%, state transient room tax 0.32%, county option and local taxes making up the remainder. Enforcement is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Brian Head’s April 2026 ADR of $210 is roughly at the US STR median of approximately $220, while occupancy at 46.9% is below the national median of approximately 55%. The gross revenue yield of approximately 14.3% is among the highest in the Utah mountain markets, reflecting low property acquisition costs.
Evolve leads the market with 338 listings and 18,623 reviews (4.75 average rating), by far the dominant operator in this small mountain town. Vacasa follows with 150 listings and 4,266 reviews (4.51 rating). Family Time Vacation Rentals holds 124 listings (4.47 rating). Stay Midway manages 96 listings (4.13 rating). Midway Vacation Properties rounds out the top five with 89 listings (4.52 rating).
Evolve’s 338 listings in a community with 157 permanent residents represents an exceptionally high penetration rate, reflecting the town’s near-total dependence on STR revenue for its local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brian Head, Utah
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