Short-Term Rentals

Purpose

This page is intended to provide helpful information to landowners and the general public on the Town’s rules for approving and enforcing short-term rentals (STRs). Beginning January 1, 2024, the Town implemented a new program to allow STRs in residential neighborhoods. Please note that the process and rules for approving STRs inside vs. outside the Lodging Overlay are different.

Short-term rental means the rental of all or a portion of a residential unit such that occupancy is limited to fewer than 30 consecutive days. (see LDR Sec. 6.1.5.C.1)

What is required?

To legally operate a STR anywhere within the Town of Jackson, you need both a Business License and a Basic Use Permit (BUP).

•  Business license: A business license must be obtained by applying to the Town’s Finance Department (for more information on applying for a business license, please see Business Licenses). Business licenses must be renewed each year. Information regarding business license renewals can be found here.

•  Basic Use Permit (BUP): All STRs in the Town require approval of a BUP from the Planning Department. There are important differences for BUP requirements between STRs located inside and outside of the Town’s Lodging Overlay and Planned Resort Zone.

o  STRs located inside the Lodging Overlay/Planned Resort Zone: Requires an initial, standard BUP with no need to renew the BUP annually. Neighbor Noticing is not required inside the Lodging Overlay. The BUP is submitted through email to planning@jacksonwy.gov. Paper applications are not accepted. The Town will call you for payment once your application has been received and processed.

o  STRs located outside the Lodging Overlay/Planned Resort Zone (i.e. residential zones): Requires an initial BUP ("BUP-Short Term Rentals") and annual renewal and approval of the BUP-Short Term Rentals each year the STR is operating. Neighbor Noticing is required outside the Lodging Overlay each year. Both the initial application and renewal of the BUP-Short Term Rentals is completed through the SmartGov Portal. 

Summary of additional requirements for STRs located outside of the Lodging Overlay/Planned Resort Zone (see LDR Sec. 6.1.5.C.2 for full details):

•  Limited to a maximum of 3 separate stays at the STR per calendar year

•  Limited to a maximum of 60 total rental nights for each STR unit per calendar year

•  Limited to the following zones: NL-1 to NL-5, NM-1, NM-2, NH-1, R, MHP, and OR

•  Requires annual neighbor notification within 200’ of STR property for each year of STR operation

•  The BUP for the STR expires each year on December 31 and must be renewed if you wish to continue using the property as a short term rental. A renewal requires the same submittal materials as a new STR-BUP, including neighbor noticing. 

•  Properties that violate the STRs requirements will not be issued a BUP for a minimum of five years

•  A lease agreement for 30 days or more but that limits occupancy to less than 30 days (e.g., two weeks) is considered a short-term lease and so must meet the requirements for STRs listed above

•  See current fee schedule for cost of a STR BUP

Process

•   How Long: BUPs may take up to 45 days after application is deemed sufficient. Business license may take up to 30 days.

•  Who Decides: Planning Director for BUPs and Finance Director for business licenses.

•  How to Submit:  The Town of Jackson Planning department will only accept Short-Term Rental BUP applications (those located outside the Lodging Overlay) using the Smartgov Public Portal. Emailed or paper Short Term Rental BUP forms will not be accepted or processed. 

Smartgov User Instructions - to access detailed step-by-step instructions for STRs located outside of the Lodging Overlay.                                                                                 

Helpful Tips

•  As of January 1, 2024, the Town will allow homes outside of the Lodging Overlay (i.e., residential neighborhoods) to rent short-term per LDR Sec. 6.1.5.C.

•  For existing approved STRs inside the Lodging Overlay (i.e. Snow King Resort, downtown), a new BUP is not required if the property changes ownership; however, new owners must apply for a business license to continue operating the property as a short-term renal.

•  If the residence is located in a development with a Homeowner’s Association, you must provide proof of notification of intent to use the property as a Short Term Rental to the HOA. This can be done using the neighbor notification form.

•  For STRs located outside of the Lodging Overlay, it is the obligation of the STR owner/manager to provide the Town with timely and accurate information on the 3 annual rentals using the Town’s fillable pdf rental form (see below). The form must be submitted to the Planning Department at planning@jacksonwy.gov and updated for each change in rental period. This form can be submitted with the BUP application if a rental date(s) is already known, or can be submitted after BUP approval when the rental dates are booked.

 •  For STRs located outside of the Lodging Overlay, the maximum of 60 total rental nights per calendar year applies to the property/unit as a whole, no matter how many bedrooms are being rented.

•  Leases of 31 days or more are not applicable to these STR regulations.

•  The business license and BUP may be applied for concurrently to save time.

How to Apply

 

Apply for a Basic Use Permit 

The purpose of the BUP application is to request short term rental as a use for your property.

Apply for a Business License

Additional Submittal Requirements (will be submitted with BUP application in Smartgov)

These requirements apply to STRs outside of the Lodging Overlay. All application submittals must include the following required items using the Smartgov public portal:

Ordinance 1402 governs size restrictions for Short Term Rentals within the Lodging Overlay.

Short-Term Rental Resources

  1. Map of Lodging Overlay and Snow King Resort District (PDF)
  2. Instructions to Create Neighbor Notice Addresses
  3. Neighbor Notice Template (PDF)
  4. Short Term Rental Dates-Fillable PDF
  5. Basic Use Permit -STR Submittal Checklist 2023
  6. Letter of Authorization (PDF)

Please email the Short Term Rental Dates-Fillable PDF to planning@jacksonwy.gov. All other required information (narrative, LOA, neighbor notice, floor and parking plans) must be uploaded to Smartgov during the application process.