STR legality checks

Can you Airbnb this address?

Type any address. We match it to the local short-term rental rules and give you a straight verdict: legal, legal with a permit, or not allowed, plus exactly what to do next.

Try a demo address:

1
Type the address.
We match it to the city or county whose rules apply.
2
Get the verdict.
Legal, legal with a permit, or not allowed, in plain language.
3
Follow the checklist.
Permit name, cost, tax rate, and each registration step.

The rules change block by block

Short-term rental law is a patchwork: city ordinances, county rules, zoning overlays, and HOA bans, all different, all changing. Investors buy a property planning to Airbnb it, then discover the city banned whole-home rentals years ago.

Fines firstSome cities fine unpermitted hosts thousands per day, and platforms must delist unregistered listings.
Buried in PDFsPermit names, fees, night caps, and tax rates live in ordinance documents nobody reads before buying.
One address decides itCross a city line and the verdict flips. The address is the whole answer, which is why you check the address.

One address, one straight answer

A full StayLegal report covers the verdict, the exact permit, costs, limits, taxes, and a registration checklist with sources.

Full address report

$75 per address
  • Verdict: legal, legal with permit, or not allowed
  • Permit name, issuer, fee, and renewal schedule
  • Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
  • Transient occupancy and hotel tax rates
  • Step-by-step registration checklist you can tick off
  • Sources for every claim, so you can verify

Free during early access while we expand city coverage. No account needed.

Questions people ask

Is this legal advice?

No. StayLegal is a research starting point built from city ordinances and official guides. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before you buy.

How current is the data?

Every city page shows when its rules were last researched (currently October 2026). Cities update STR ordinances frequently, so treat the report as a head start, not the final word.

What if my city is not covered yet?

We cover 10 cities today and are adding more. If yours is missing, pick the nearest covered city only as a rough sense of how strict the region is, not as an answer for your address.

Does a "legal" verdict mean my HOA allows it?

No. An HOA, condo board, or lease can ban short-term rentals even where the city allows them. The report flags this, but you have to check your own documents.

Why does the verdict change when I toggle "I live there"?

Many cities treat hosted stays (you present during the visit) far more leniently than investor-owned whole-home rentals. New York is the starkest example: whole-home short stays are banned, hosted stays are registrable.

Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.