St. Joseph County - South Bend
Other Indiana Markets Airbnb and short term rental laws.
Renting the home you live in: Permit required starting Jan 2027
Renting a home you don’t live in: Permit and zoning approval starting Jan 2027
Starting in 2027, every short term rental in South Bend needs a city permit. New rentals where the owner does not live need extra zoning approval.
Permit fee $150
PERMIT
Short Term Rental Permit
How to apply
Get a city permit. Permits start January 1, 2027. The city has not yet opened the application.
Fee
$150 for the first permit.
Renewal
The permit lasts one year. Renewal is free.
Where rentals are allowed
Starting January 1, 2027, a new short term rental that is not owner occupied needs a zoning special exception. Owner occupied rentals do not need one. Existing rentals are grandfathered and can qualify as legal nonconforming uses.
Caps
No cap. State law bars caps.
Safety and inspections
Rentals must meet basic safety and property maintenance standards. Short term rentals are exempt from the city Rental Safety Verification Program.
Parking, trash, and noise
City noise and nuisance rules apply.
Local contact
Owners must give a working emergency contact who can respond 24/7. Owners must update permit details within 30 days of any change.
Penalties
$500 fine for renting without a permit. After three citations in one calendar year and a hearing, the city can revoke the permit for up to one year.
Coming changes
The permit and zoning rules take effect January 1, 2027.
Last changed
September 14, 2026
Official rules
More information
- Bill 52-26 (Chapter 4, Article 5): Short term rental permit
- Bill 53-26 (Chapter 21): Zoning special exception
- Sec. 6-81(d)(2), Ord. 10933-23: Rental safety program exemption