Short-Term Rentals

A short-term rental is defined as a residential unit, or portion of a unit, offered for occupancy for less than 30 consecutive days. Draper City requires a minimum stay of two consecutive nights.

Hosts must obtain both a business license and a short-term rental permit before operating a short-term rental in Draper. Short-term rentals are a permitted use in any zoning district that allows residential uses, provided the host secures both approvals. Operating without a permit is a violation of City code, and each day of noncompliance is considered a separate offense. A short-term rental permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Key Requirements for Hosts

The ordinance includes a number of standards hosts must follow, including:

• Only one short-term rental is allowed per residential unit, rented to a single renter (21 years or older) at a time.

• Short-term rentals are not permitted in units with an Internal Accessory Dwelling Unit (I-ADU), in units under a lease of 30 or more consecutive days, or in tents, trailers, campers, or recreational vehicles.

• Hosts must be available by phone 24 hours a day during a rental and able to respond in person, or designate someone who can respond within 30 minutes of a legitimate complaint.

• Sufficient off-street parking must be provided based on the unit's designated occupancy, calculated under the City's parking standards.

• Units must meet health and safety standards, being equipped with a fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms.

• The short-term rental permit and business license, host contact information, applicable rules, and the City's Good Neighbor Guidelines must be posted inside the unit, and a sign with host contact information must be posted at the main entrance.

• The business license and short-term rental permit numbers must be included in any online listing advertisement.

Enforcement

A short-term rental permit may be denied or revoked for reasons including false or misleading information provided in the application, failure to comply with permit conditions or applicable law, refusal to allow required inspections, delinquency of 90 or more days on transient room taxes, repeated citations, or a nuisance finding by a court. The City may also conduct periodic inspections of permitted short-term rentals to verify continued compliance.

FAQs

Do I need both a permit and a business license?

Yes. Both a short-term rental permit and a business license are required before a short-term rental can legally operate.

Where do I apply?

You can apply for a short-term rental permit and business license at our planning services portal.

How long does my permit last?

One year from the date it's issued. You'll need to renew it annually to keep operating.

What's the minimum and maximum length of stay?

A minimum of 2 consecutive nights and a maximum of less than 30 consecutive days. Anything 30 days or longer is treated as a standard residential lease, not a short-term rental.

Can I rent out my ADU as a short-term rental?

A Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (D-ADU) can be permitted as a short-term rental if it has a valid ADU permit. Internal Accessory Dwelling Units (I-ADUs) are not eligible.

Can I have more than one short-term rental at my property?

No. Only one short-term rental is allowed per residential unit, and a D-ADU is counted together with its main dwelling as a single unit.

Can I rent to more than one group of guests at the same time?

No. Only one renter (and their party) may occupy the short-term rental at a time. A host can’t split the home and rent different portions to different guests simultaneously.

Is there an age requirement for renters?

Yes, the renter must be at least 21 years old and must stay at the property during the rental period.

How many guests can stay?

That depends on the number and size of qualifying bedrooms or sleeping areas. The short-term rental permit will state the maximum occupancy allowed.

How much parking do I need?

Two off-street spaces per short-term rental, plus half a space for every bedroom beyond two (rounded up). If only part of your home is the rental, this parking is in addition to the parking required for the home, and it can't block that required parking. A garage can count towards the parking if guests have access to it.

What happens if there's a complaint while my property is being rented?

The host must be reachable by phone 24/7 during the rental and able to physically respond (or a designated responsible party) within 30 minutes of a legitimate complaint. If a guest violates City laws twice during one stay, the host is required to evict them.

What do I need to post at the property?

Posted inside the property will be a copy of the short-term rental permit and business license, the host’s contact information, a list of applicable rules, and a copy of the City's Good Neighbor Guidelines. Posted outside the property, near the main entrance, will be a small sign (maximum of 8.5" x 11") with the host’s name and phone number.

What safety equipment is required?

A rated fire extinguisher, interconnected smoke alarms (inside and outside sleeping areas and on every floor), and carbon monoxide alarms if the home has fuel-fired appliances. If the home is equipped with a fire sprinkler system, it must be inspected annually.

What happens if I operate without a permit?

It's a violation of City code, and each day of unpermitted operation counts as a separate violation. The first three such violations within a 12-month period are treated as infractions; additional violations can lead to further enforcement.

Do I need to include anything in my online listing?

Yes. The business license number and short-term rental permit number must be included in any online listing or advertisement.