Overview: STRs are explicitly allowed

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in the City of Piedmont, Alabama. Ordinance No. 636 allows the rental of a dwelling or any portion thereof for fewer than 30 consecutive days, provided the operator obtains an annual STR Business License and complies with all applicable city ordinances, codes, and the specific STR regulations. The ordinance took effect on February 1, 2023.

Note: All STR activity must also comply with general city laws (building, fire, safety, noise, garbage, zoning, etc.), and a Bed & Breakfast Home has separate allowances under the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

How to start an STR business in Piedmont, AL

• Determine your property’s zoning and use. STRs are allowed across the City (both residential and nonresidential districts), but the property must be used for lodging only and must remain compatible with typical residential uses in the surrounding neighborhood. See “Specific Regulations” below for occupancy and use constraints.
• Designate a 24/7 emergency contact. The emergency contact (or representative) must be reachable at all times during each STR stay, respond to complaints within one hour, and be able to respond on-site within 12 hours when requested by the City.
• Obtain insurance. Secure a fire and casualty policy plus general liability coverage of at least $500,000 (in addition to your homeowner’s insurance) before issuance of your STR Business License; renew and provide proof annually.
• Notify adjoining property owners. Deliver written notice to each adjoining property owner that identifies you (owner/operator), the emergency contact, the Code Enforcement reporting phone number, and the maximum occupancy. Provide a copy of the notice to the Business License Division of the Finance Department.
• Apply for the STR Business License. Submit the application to the Finance Department’s Business License Division; license fee cannot exceed $100 per STR, issued annually.
• Operate in compliance. Maintain and post the STR license, emergency contact information, and house rules inside the unit; comply with on-street and off-street parking, no on-premise signage visible from the public right-of-way, no cooking in bedrooms, and preserve typical residential appearance.
• Monitor and address violations. You must promptly notify renters of violations and take corrective actions to prevent recurrence. See the “Enforcement and Penalties” section below.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• STR Business License (annual, $100 maximum per STR). Application and issuance are via the Finance Department’s Business License Division; obtain prior to advertising, offering, or renting.
• Insurance certificates (submitted with application and annually at renewal):
  • General liability: at least $500,000 coverage, in addition to your homeowner’s insurance.
  • Fire and casualty policy (required).
• Written notice to adjoining property owners. Must include owner/operator/emergency contact details, Code Enforcement phone number for violations, and maximum occupancy; submit a copy to the Business License Division.
• Posted materials inside the STR unit:
  • The STR license.
  • The emergency contact information.
  • House rules compliant with City code.
• Ongoing compliance with all applicable City laws and codes (building, fire, safety, noise, garbage, zoning, etc.).

Specific regulations for STRs in Piedmont, AL

Definitions and scope

• Short-term rental: Rental of a dwelling (or portion of a dwelling) for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
• Not applicable: Rentals of 30 consecutive days or more.
• Applies in residential and nonresidential districts; an STR is also referred to as “STR.”

Allowed uses and prohibited activities

• STR use: Rented only for lodging purposes.
• Food service: No STR licensee, owner, or operator may prepare or serve food to any renter or guest.
• Cooking in bedrooms: Cooking facilities are not permitted in any STR bedrooms.
• Signage: No on-premise signage legible from any public street right-of-way (for STRs in both residential and nonresidential districts).
• Bed & Breakfast: A Bed and Breakfast Home is treated separately under the Zoning Ordinance (Article II, Section 2.7 definitions) and is not governed by the no-cooking-in-bedrooms prohibition.

Property standards and neighborhood compatibility

• Compliance: STR must comply with all applicable City laws and codes (building, fire, safety, noise, garbage collection/disposal, etc.).
• Parking: Adequate off-street parking (concrete or asphalt) and/or on-street parking must accommodate all renters and guests. No recreational vehicles, buses, or trailers may be parked on the street.
• Neighborhood appearance: The STR structure must conform to the appearance and use of a typical residential home in the surrounding neighborhood. Nonconforming structures must be reviewed case-by-case by the Zoning Board before a license may be issued; the Board may deny or approve after thorough review.

Occupancy

• Maximum occupancy: Limited to the number of occupants specified by “Two persons per bedroom plus two persons” (e.g., 1 bedroom → 4; 2 bedrooms → 6; 3 bedrooms → 8; 4 bedrooms → 10).
• You must limit overnight occupancy by written agreement with the renter to the maximum allowed.

Emergency contact and response

• The emergency contact (or representative) must answer calls 24 hours/day, 7 days/week during each STR period.
• Response within one hour to complaints about the STR’s condition or operation, or conduct of renters or guests.
• Response on-site within 12 hours when requested by the City.
• Prior to any change to the emergency contact, submit revised contact information to the Business License Division of the Finance Department.

License term and renewal

• Annual STR Business License (issued by the City; fee cannot exceed $100 per STR).
• Proof of insurance must be resubmitted each year for renewal.
• Notice to adjoining owners must be delivered prior to issuance of the initial license; further notices may be required if details materially change (e.g., contact, occupancy), at the City’s discretion.

Adjoining-owner notice contents

• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owner, operator, and emergency contact.
• Telephone number for the public to report violations to the Code Enforcement Division of the City’s Police Department.
• Maximum occupancy of the STR unit (as per occupancy rule above).
• Provide a copy of the notice to the Business License Division.

Posting and documentation

• Post the STR license, emergency contact information, and house rules in a conspicuous place within the STR.

Enforcement and penalties

• Process: If a violation is found, the Code Enforcement Division of the City’s Police Department will provide written notice of the violation, corrective action required, and a due date for compliance. An extension may be granted if substantial progress is made.
• Warning: A warning may be issued for a first violation at the discretion of the Code Enforcement Division.
• Temporary suspension: If not corrected by the due date, the Code Enforcement Division may temporarily suspend the STR Business License for the unit(s) where the violation persisted until the violation is corrected.
• Revocation: Recurrent violations (e.g., noise, occupancy, parking, safety) may lead to revocation proceedings. The City Council, by majority vote, may revoke, restrict, or suspend an STR Business License if deemed necessary.
• Criminal offense: Any violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor; punishment is by fine as provided in Article IX, Section 4, of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

Time for compliance

• Owners/operators of any existing STR within the City must obtain the necessary STR Business License within 30 calendar days of the effective date of the ordinance. All new operations must be licensed prior to advertising, offering, or renting.

Severability and repeal

• If any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section is held unconstitutional, that ruling does not affect any other parts of the ordinance.
• To the extent of conflict, this ordinance supersedes other City ordinances or parts thereof.

Effective date

• The ordinance took effect upon its adoption: February 1, 2023.

County and State-level regulations (if applicable)

The provided materials focus on City of Piedmont regulations (Ordinance No. 636). No county-level or Alabama statewide STR-specific rules are included in the source materials. Operators must comply with all other applicable City ordinances and state laws (e.g., business licensing, taxes, health and safety). If you require Alabama statewide provisions or county-specific rules, they are not provided in these documents.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• City of Piedmont — Finance Department (Business License Division):
  • For STR Business License application, renewal, and adjoining-owner notice submission.
• Code Enforcement Division — City Police Department:
  • For reporting violations and inquiries related to STR compliance.
• Zoning Board:
  • For case-by-case review of STR structures that do not conform to typical residential appearance/use.

Note: Specific phone numbers and email addresses were not provided in the source materials. Contact the City Hall front desk for routing and current contacts.

Links to source pages (available)

• City of Piedmont, Alabama — Ordinance No. 636: Short-Term Rentals (adopted February 1, 2023)

  • www.piedmontcity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ORDINANCE-636-SHORT-TERM-RENTALS.pdf

• City of Piedmont, Alabama — Code: Planning & Land Use (General references only; no Piedmont, AL STR detail)

  • piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=14164662