Idaho Airbnb Laws & Regulations: What ID Hosts Need to Know
Idaho is one of the most host-friendly short-term rental markets in the country—but the properties drawing guests here, mountain cabins with hot tubs, lakefront places with docks and watercraft, rural rentals where wildlife is part of the appeal, carry exposure that has nothing to do with whether your city requires a permit. That’s the risk a standard Homeowners policy was never built to hold, which is why Idaho hosts should understand Amenity Liability coverage and what short-term rental insurance in Idaho actually covers. Still figuring out where the law leaves you? Start with whether you can be an Airbnb host in Idaho.
Short-term rental insurance means a short-term rental policy, like The Proper Policy: a Commercial Homeowners policy built for guest turnover, Business Income, and business-level liability. A Homeowners or Landlord policy with a home-sharing endorsement added is a different category.
See what short-term rental insurance covers in Idaho.
New Statewide Law for Idaho Short-Term Rental Hosts
Idaho HB 583 Introduces State-Wide Airbnb Laws for Hosts
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 583 into law on March 16, 2026, establishing the broadest state-level preemption of local short-term rental regulations in the country. The law amends Section 67-6539 of the Idaho Code and takes effect July 1, 2026. It builds on Idaho’s 2017 law, which barred cities from outright banning STRs, by closing the loopholes that allowed local governments to impose permits, fees, density caps, and other restrictions that had the practical effect of making STRs unworkable in resort communities across the state.
- Definition of Short-Term Rental: Idaho law defines short-term rentals and vacation rentals as residential land use for all zoning and building code purposes. Under HB 583, they are specifically classified as “nontransient residential use,” which means they are treated the same as a long-term rental or single-family home for zoning purposes.
- Zoning: Cities and counties cannot zone STRs out of existence or restrict them in ways that do not apply equally to other residential uses. STRs are permitted wherever residential uses are permitted. Local governments may not impose caps on the number or proximity of short-term rentals in a jurisdiction.
- Licensing & Registration: Local governments may not require a license, fee, permit, certification, or registration to operate a short-term rental. Any existing city or county STR permit programs that conflict with the new law must be repealed or revised before July 1, 2026. Hosts who rent directly without using a platform must register with the Idaho State Tax Commission and comply with all applicable tax requirements independently.
- What Local Governments Can Still Require: Cities and counties retain authority to require the following, provided the same requirements apply equally to all residential properties: smoke alarms in every sleeping area, a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector on each floor, removable escape ladders for sleeping areas above ground level, and occupancy limits tied to International Building Code standards. Local governments may not mandate structural modifications, additional parking beyond what applies to all residences, professional property management, additional insurance, sprinkler systems, fire safety inspections specific to STRs, or reporting of rental activity.
- What Local Governments Cannot Do: Under HB 583, no city or county in Idaho may: require a license, fee, permit or registration to operate an STR; impose owner-occupancy requirements; restrict the number of days a property can be rented; cap the number or density of STRs; require additional parking, insurance or structural upgrades beyond what applies to all homes; mandate reporting on rental activity; or impose taxes or fees specifically on the operation of an STR marketplace.
- Taxes: Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must register with the Idaho State Tax Commission and are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable state and local taxes on all bookings they facilitate. Hosts using platforms have no separate state tax filing obligation for those bookings. Hosts who rent directly to guests without a platform must register and remit taxes independently. Local governments may still impose travel and convention taxes on STR stays. Local governments may not impose additional taxes or fees targeted specifically at STR marketplace operators.
- Noise, Parking & Nuisance: STR guests and operators remain subject to all city and county ordinances that apply to residential properties generally, including noise, parking, nuisance, curfew, and traffic regulations. These rules are enforceable as long as they apply equally to all residents and are not STR-specific.
- Enforcement & Penalties: Enforcement of noise, nuisance, and general residential ordinances remains with local governments. STR-specific penalties, fines, or permit revocations tied to rules that conflict with HB 583 are no longer permissible after July 1, 2026. Local governments that have existing ordinances in conflict with the new law are expected to review and revise them before the effective date.
- More Information: The full text of House Bill 583 is available on the Idaho State Legislature website. Hosts with questions about state tax registration for direct bookings can contact the Idaho State Tax Commission. The Idaho Vacation Rental Association has also published guidance on what the new law means for hosts and property managers.
Boise, Idaho Airbnb Laws
Boise No Longer Requires a Short-Term Rental License
Boise began requiring short-term rental operators to hold a city license in May 2022. On May 12, 2026, the Boise City Council repealed that ordinance to align with Idaho HB 583, and a City of Boise short-term rental license is no longer required as of May 18, 2026.
The city says it will continue enforcing nuisance, noise, parking, safety, occupancy, and other regulations that are consistent with state law and city code. For questions, contact the Boise City Clerk at (208) 972-8150 or cityclerk@cityofboise.org.
Ketchum, Idaho Short-Term Rental Laws
Ketchum, ID Is Rolling Back STR Regulations Under Idaho HB 583
Ketchum is home to the Sun Valley resort area and one of Idaho’s most active short-term rental markets—with roughly 81% of the Wood River Valley’s 840 STR units located in Ketchum and Sun Valley combined as of 2024. The city had one of Idaho’s more detailed local STR ordinances, but Idaho HB 583, signed March 16, 2026, and effective July 1, 2026, requires Ketchum to roll back any rules that go beyond what applies to standard residential properties. Under HB 583, Ketchum must bring its ordinance in line with state law; check with Ketchum City Hall for the current status of the amended ordinance.
- What HB 583 Removed in Ketchum: Under the new state law, Ketchum can no longer require STR-specific permits or registration, conduct STR-specific fire safety inspections, or require a fire safety plan approved by the Ketchum Fire District. Any STR-specific rules that imposed stricter standards than those applied to standard long-term rental or single-family residential properties are no longer enforceable as of July 1, 2026.
- What Ketchum Can Still Require: Cities retain authority under HB 583 to enforce safety standards that apply equally to all residential properties. Ketchum STRs must still have smoke alarms in every sleeping area, a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector on each floor, and removable escape ladders in sleeping areas above ground level with a window. Occupancy limits tied to Idaho’s adopted International Building Code standards remain enforceable.
- Noise & Nuisance: Ketchum’s noise ordinance remains fully in effect. STR operators are responsible for ensuring guests comply. Noise audible beyond the perimeter of the property is prohibited.
- HOA Authority: HB 583 does not override private covenants. Homeowners associations in Ketchum and Sun Valley retain full authority to impose STR restrictions through their CC&Rs. If your property is in an HOA, review governing documents carefully—those rules apply regardless of what the city can or cannot regulate.
- Taxes: Platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit applicable state and local taxes on all bookings they facilitate. Hosts who rent directly without a platform must register with the Idaho State Tax Commission and remit taxes independently.
- More Information: The full text of HB 583 is available on the Idaho State Legislature website. For questions about Ketchum’s amended STR ordinance, contact Ketchum City Hall at 208-726-3841 or visit ketchumidaho.org. The Idaho Vacation Rental Association has also published guidance on what the new law means for hosts statewide.
Can You Host an Airbnb in Idaho?
Understand what hosting a short-term rental in Idaho truly entails.
Quote Your Short-Term Vacation Rental Today
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Please note: The information provided is intended as a guide and may not be comprehensive or current. Regulations may change and could vary by area or situation. Always consult local authorities or a legal professional to ensure you have the most accurate information for your short-term rental property.
