City of Ames, IA
Home MenuSHORT-TERM RENTALS
So, you want to Offer a Short-Term Rental?
Short-Term Rental means the advertising, offering, or otherwise making available use of a dwelling unit for overnight lodging for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less in exchange for money, goods, labor or service. Short-Term Rental does not include any hotel or motel facility or Bed & Breakfast Establishment.
How to Register a Short-Term Rental
If you are wishing to utilize an Investment Property (a property that is not your primary residence) as a Short-Term Rental, the process for registration and compliance is the same as it would be for any rental property in Ames. This means applying for and obtaining a Letter of Compliance under Chapter 13, Rental Housing Code.
Rental Housing Registration [Short-Term Rental as Primary Use]
Registration as Rental Housing under Chapter 13, Rental Housing Code and obtain a Letter of Compliance
If the property is your Primary Residence- you have an alternative option available. Instead of having to fully comply with the with the Rental Housing Code and obtain a Letter of Compliance, you may choose instead, to comply with Chapter 35, Guest Lodging. An applicant memorializes their intent to voluntarily comply with Chapter 35, Guest Lodging by filling out the application linked below:
Guest Lodging Short-Term Registration Application [Short-Term Rental as Accessory Use]
Voluntary registration and operation under the provisions of Chapter 35, Guest Lodging
Types of Short-Term Rentals
The Table below includes highlights of the Code and does not reflect the entire Code.
Definition of Terms
Short-Term Rental Registration
Short-Term Rental Registration is the administrative process whereby an applicant memorializes their intent to voluntarily comply with Chapter 35, Guest Lodging. Voluntary compliance with the requirements of Chapter 35, Short-Term Rental, allows a dwelling unit that is used as a Hosted Home Share or Home Share, to apply for an exemption from having to fully comply with Chapter 13, Rental Housing Code and obtain a Letter of Compliance under Chapter 13.
What is a Hosted Home Share?
Hosted Home Share means the limited Short-Term Rental of a portion of a dwelling unit that is the primary residence of the property owner, while the property owner is present. For the purposes of this definition, “present” means the property owner is staying in the dwelling overnight during the Short-Term Rental. . (See Chapter 35.)
Guest Lodging Short-Term Registration Application
What is a Home Share?
Home Share means the limited Short-Term Rental of the entire dwelling unit that is the primary residence of the property owner, while the property owner is not present. (See Chapter 35.)
Guest Lodging Short-Term Registration Application
What is a Vacation Lodging unit?
Vacation Lodging means the short-term rental of an entire dwelling unit, which is not required to be the owner’s primary residence and which is commonly, but not exclusively, made available for occupancy through an online marketplace or website as a rental subject to Chapter 13.
What is a Bed & Breakfast Establishment?
Bed & Breakfast Establishment means a private residence where the property owner resides and provides a number of bedrooms as a short-term lodging use for paying guests. Breakfast may also be provided for those guests. Bed & Breakfast Establishments are a type of lodging. They are not considered a Short-Term Rental and are not subject to the Rental Code but rather, require a Special Use Permit. (See Sec. 29.1302)
Special Use Permit Application as a Bed & Breakfast Establishment
References
Chapter 13 - Rental Housing Code
Chapter 35 - Guest Lodging (Short-Term Rental Code)
Chapter 29 - Zoning Ordinance
Link and Download Information:
Summary Table - Short Term Rentals
Rental Housing