Saint Anthony, Idaho
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Saint Anthony, ID
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STR Regulations for Saint Anthony, Idaho
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Saint Anthony, ID?
YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Saint Anthony, Idaho. Saint Anthony falls under Fremont County jurisdiction, which has established a clear regulatory framework for transient rental uses. The county defines short-term rentals as "the rental of a home for lodging/sleeping purposes for terms of 30 days or less in exchange for a fee" and requires property owners to obtain either a Class I (1-15 guests) or Class II (16-30 guests) Residential Lodging permit. Properties renting to 31 or more overnight guests are classified as commercial activity requiring a different permit category.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Saint Anthony?
Saint Anthony hosts earn a median $17,606/year with $161 ADR and 55% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $26,323+ per year.
See the full Saint Anthony market breakdownHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Saint Anthony
Starting a short-term rental in Saint Anthony involves a systematic 10-step process established by Fremont County:
1. Initial Assessment and Permit Classification
Determine your rental capacity (1-15 guests requires Class I permit; 16-30 guests requires Class II permit). Properties accommodating 31+ guests require commercial permits.
2. Water Supply Verification
Ensure adequate potable water supply. Municipal water users must provide written verification from the service provider confirming account standing and adequate service capacity. Private/community well users must submit water sampling test results from a professional laboratory drawn from within the dwelling.
3. Sewer and Septic Considerations
Properties connected to municipal sewer require written verification of account standing and system capacity. Septic system users must complete both condition and capacity evaluations using county forms. The Idaho DEQ requires septic tanks to be twice as big as the highest daily flow, calculated as people × 40 gallons per day.
4. Fire Protection Compliance
Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers per manufacturer specifications. Properties must comply with Fremont County's Open Burning Ordinance, which regulates outdoor fires and fire pit dimensions. Post the ordinance in a conspicuous location and inform all guests of requirements.
5. Nuisance Prevention and Waste Management
Implement proper garbage disposal using closeable, and in some areas animal-proof, receptacles. Ensure no noise, litter, or odor extends beyond property lines. Provide weekly waste collection and screen outdoor storage areas from public view through landscaping or fencing.
6. Off-Street Parking Requirements
Provide adequate parking per Appendix C of Fremont County Development Code: one parking space per four guests for transient rentals. All trailers (camper, boat, utility, transport) must be parked off-street. Spaces should be 10-12 feet wide and 18-24 feet long with adequate vertical clearance.
7. Signage Compliance
Install one non-illuminated wall sign not exceeding six square feet and one non-illuminated directional sign not exceeding four square feet at the driveway entrance. Transient rentals must post a contact information sign (maximum two square feet) inconspicuously on the building where neighbors can easily read it.
8. Idaho State Tax Registration
Obtain Idaho State Tax Commission Registration and Travel and Convention Tax Collection numbers. Failure to collect and remit applicable sales and use taxes may result in permit suspension or revocation.
9. Complete Application Package
Submit completed Home Occupation/Transient Rental permit application, inspection forms, verification letters, and application fee. The review process requires 7-10 working days.
10. Final Inspection and Approval
Upon approval, maintain compliance with all permit conditions and be prepared for periodic inspections.
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
Permits Required
- Class I Residential Lodging Permit: For 1-15 guests
- Class II Residential Lodging Permit: For 16-30 guests
- Fee: $195 (as indicated on permit application)
- Review Timeline: 7-10 working days
Required Documentation
- Completed Home Occupation/Transient Rental Class I Permit Application with owner and applicant information
- Legal Property Description including section, township, range, and parcel number
- Proof of Ownership
- Scaled Site Plan showing:
- Verified access to public road
- Well location and separation distances
- Septic/sewer locations
- Required designated parking areas
- Setback from property lines
- Solid waste disposal area
- Location and dimensions of proposed signage
- Water Supply Verification:
- Municipal: Written evidence from service provider of account standing and adequate capacity
- Private/Community Well: Professional water sampling test results
- Sewer/Septic Documentation:
- Municipal/County Sewer: Written verification of account standing and capacity
- Septic: Both condition and capacity evaluation forms from Eastern Idaho District Health Department
- Idaho State Tax Commission Registration Number and Travel and Convention Tax Collection number
- Detailed Letter explaining the home occupation application
- Eastern Idaho District Health Department/Septic System Form (completed)
On-Site Requirements
- Smoke, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers installed and maintained per manufacturer specifications
- Open Burning Ordinance acknowledgment and proper posting
- Contact information signage (maximum 2 square feet) for transient rentals
- Adequate garbage receptacles with weekly collection service
- Off-street parking meeting county standards
- Address and property access directions posted on interior front door
Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
Fremont County Requirements
- Guest Limits: Class I permits allow 1-15 guests; Class II permits allow 16-30 guests
- Stay Duration: Limited to 30 days or less to qualify as transient rental
- Inspection Cycle: Septic and well inspections required every two years
- Parking Standards: One space per four guests; all trailers must be parked off-street
- Signage Restrictions: Maximum six square feet for wall signs, four square feet for directional signs, two square feet for contact information
- Noise and Nuisance Control: No detectable noise, litter, or odor at property lines
State of Idaho Requirements
- Sales Tax: 6% total (includes 2% travel and convention tax)
- Tax Registration: Required with Idaho State Tax Commission
- Collection Requirement: Must collect and remit applicable taxes from guests
Safety and Health Standards
- Fire Safety: Compliance with Open Burning Ordinance mandatory
- Water Quality: Potable water supply verification required
- Wastewater Management: Adequate septic or sewer capacity verification
- Wildlife Protection: Proper garbage storage to prevent wildlife attraction
Enforcement and Compliance
- County focuses on compliance rather than punishment for violations
- Water and septic inspections required every two years
- Permit suspension possible for tax non-compliance
- Residential care facilities with 8 or fewer residents require same permit
Contact Information for Local Authority
Primary Contact: Fremont County Planning and Building Department
Address: 125 North Bridge Street, Suite 1, St. Anthony, ID 83445
Phone: (208) 624-4643 (office)
Fax: (208) 624-1320
Email: p&b@co.fremont.id.us
Website: www.co.fremont.id.us
Supporting Agencies
Eastern Idaho District Health Department
Phone: (208) 624-7585
(for septic system evaluations and health department forms)
Idaho State Tax Commission
Phone: (208) 334-7660
Website: tax.idaho.gov
(for tax registration and compliance questions)
Links to Source Pages
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Fremont County Residential Business & Lodging Brochure: www.fremontcountyid.gov/DocumentCenter/View/646/Residential-Business---Lodging-Brochure-PDF
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Home Occupation/Transient Rental Permit Application: www.fremontcountyid.gov/DocumentCenter/View/644/Home-Occupation-Transient-Rental-Permit-PDF
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GoSummer Market Analysis: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/saint-anthony-idaho
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East Idaho News STR Article: www.eastidahonews.com/2021/06/short-term-rental-issues-plague-a-small-idaho-town-near-yellowstone/
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Blue Pine Property Management: www.bluepinepm.com/st-anthony-property-management
Important Notes for Investors
- Saint Anthony does not have city-specific short-term rental ordinances, making Fremont County the primary regulatory authority
- The county has been actively permitting short-term rentals with approximately 600 currently permitted cabin rentals
- Properties must maintain residential character and blend into neighborhoods
- Permit requirements are standardized across the county, providing regulatory certainty
- Strong seasonal demand exists due to proximity to St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Henry's Fork of the Snake River, and access to Yellowstone National Park
- Enforcement focuses on compliance rather than punitive measures, though failure to obtain required permits or comply with tax obligations can result in permit suspension
This regulatory framework provides clear pathways for legitimate short-term rental operations while maintaining community standards and neighborhood integrity.
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Saint Anthony
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Overview of Saint Anthony
Saint Anthony sits in the upper Snake River Plain of eastern Idaho, serving as the county seat of Fremont County. With a population of roughly 3,500 residents, the small city carries a quiet, agricultural character shaped by surrounding farmland, the mountains of the Targhee National Forest, and its position as a waypoint for travelers heading toward some of the most celebrated natural landscapes in the American West. Saint Anthony lies about 40 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, the nearest sizable city and the regional hub for commercial air service, putting it within easy striking distance of both everyday amenities and the great outdoors.
The marquee draw within reach of Saint Anthony is Yellowstone National Park, whose West Entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana, is approximately 100 miles to the northeast. Travelers based in Saint Anthony can reach the park in roughly two hours, making the city a more affordable and uncrowded alternative to staying inside the park itself or in the busier gateway communities. Yellowstone delivers the full sweep of geysers, hot springs, wildlife watching, and canyon vistas that have made it one of the most-visited national parks in the country, and a stay in Saint Anthony pairs easily with day trips into the park's western and southern sections.
A second regional highlight is the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, which winds through ranchland and forest just north of town. The river is widely regarded as one of the finest blue-ribbon trout streams in the United States, drawing fly anglers from around the world to its tailwater stretches. Harriman State Park, set along the river's banks roughly 30 miles north of Saint Anthony, adds hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and overnight cabins to the mix and serves as a quieter complement to the busier Yellowstone experience.
To the northeast, the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls tumble through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, about 35 miles from Saint Anthony. These dramatic cataracts on the Henrys Fork are among the few major waterfalls in the continental United States that have not been altered by dams, and a scenic drive through the forest leads to well-maintained overlooks above the canyon rim. The surrounding forest also offers camping, hiking, and winter snowmobiling, extending Saint Anthony's appeal well beyond the summer travel season.
Together, these attributes make Saint Anthony a quietly compelling base for short-term rentals. Its small-town atmosphere, lower nightly rates than the famous gateway resorts, and proximity to Yellowstone, the Henrys Fork, and the Targhee backcountry give property owners a wide window of potential guests, from summer road-trippers and anglers to fall color-seekers and winter snowmobilers, while the short drive to Idaho Falls keeps the city firmly within reach of an airport and everyday conveniences.
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