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Soda Springs, ID

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STR Regulations for Soda Springs, Idaho

Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Soda Springs, ID

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Soda Springs, ID and throughout Caribou County. However, they are subject to strict county-level regulations under Caribou County Code 13.65. The county transitioned from a Conditional Use Permit system to an annual administrative permit system to better regulate and monitor STR operations while protecting public health, safety, and community welfare.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Soda Springs?

Soda Springs hosts earn a median $20,521/year with $135 ADR and 54% occupancy.

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See the full Soda Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Soda Springs

Step 1: Understand the Legal Framework

Before proceeding, carefully review Caribou County Code 13.65 which governs short-term rentals in the county. This code was adopted to protect both property owners and surrounding landowners.

Step 2: Obtain Required Annual Permit

Submit an annual administrative application to the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Unlike the previous system that required Conditional Use Permits with newspaper publications and public hearings, the current process is more streamlined but still requires compliance verification.

Step 3: Submit Application

Applications can be submitted via:

  • Email: naskew@co.caribou.id.us
  • In Person: Caribou County Courthouse, 159 South Main Street, Room 105, Soda Springs, Idaho

Step 4: Neighbor Notification Process

Upon application submission, notice will be sent to all surrounding property owners within 300 feet of your STR property. This provides transparency and allows for community input on your proposed operation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permit

  • Annual Short-Term Rental Permit ($100.00 application fee)

Required Documentation

  1. Photographs of Safety Equipment:

    • Smoke detector locations
    • Carbon monoxide detector locations
    • Fire extinguishers with expiration dates visible

  2. Site Plan: Layout of property including available parking for renters

  3. Property Deed: Proof of ownership

  4. Application Fee: $100.00

Safety Requirements On-Site

The following must be posted on-site throughout the permitted year:

  • Rules and regulations
  • Emergency contact numbers
  • Emergency plans
  • Current permits

Safety Equipment Requirements

  • Smoke Detectors: Required with photographic documentation
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Required with photographic documentation
  • Fire Extinguishers: Required with expiration date documentation

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Definition

A Short-Term Rental is defined as overnight lodging for 30 days or less (commonly known as AirBnB-style accommodations).

Application Requirements

  • Annual Renewal: Permits must be renewed yearly within the timeframe specified in Caribou County Code 13.65.040
  • No Grandfathering: Previously operating STRs cannot claim "grandfathered" status; all must apply for new permits
  • Complete Disclosure: Property owners must maintain, update, and inform Caribou County Planning and Zoning of any changes to property or information provided in applications

Compliance and Enforcement

  • Violation Consequences: Violations may result in suspension or revocation of STR approval and permit
  • Truthful Certification: Property owners must certify that all answers are true and complete to the best of their knowledge
  • Ongoing Compliance: Continuous compliance with all provisions outlined in Caribou County Code 13.65 is required

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Planning & Zoning Department

  • Contact Person: Nellie Askew, Planning and Zoning Administrator
  • Phone: (208) 547-1780
  • Email: naskew@co.caribou.id.us
  • Alternative Contact: Helen Barker, P&Z Administrator
  • Alternative Email: hbarker@co.caribou.id.us
  • Address: Caribou County Courthouse, 159 South Main Street, Room 105, Soda Springs, ID 83276
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Building Department (Additional Support)

  • Contact Person: Rowdy Larkins, Building Inspector
  • Phone: (208) 840-9910
  • Email: rlarkin@caribouid.gov
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM

County General Information

  • Phone: (208) 547-4324
  • Website: www.cariboucounty.us

Source Links

Important Note for Investors: Caribou County takes STR compliance seriously and has eliminated any grandfathering provisions. All operators, regardless of previous operation status, must obtain annual permits and maintain ongoing compliance with safety and operational requirements. The county's approach balances economic opportunities with community protection through the administrative permit system.

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Soda Springs

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Soda Springs Market Analysis

Photos of Soda Springs

Overview of Soda Springs

Soda Springs is a small city in Caribou County in southeastern Idaho, with a population of approximately 3,000 residents. It sits where the high desert of the Snake River Plain meets the forested slopes of the Bear River Range, giving the town a quiet, outdoorsy character shaped by long winters, mineral-rich groundwater, and wide-open landscapes. The community is best known for its naturally carbonated springs and serves as a gateway to nearby national forest lands and Bear Lake. Pocatello, the nearest sizable city, lies roughly 75 miles to the northwest.

The Soda Springs Geyser is the town's signature attraction. Created accidentally in 1937 when a drilling project struck a pocket of pressurized carbonated water, it now ranks among the world's few captive geysers, erupting roughly every hour on the hour to a height of around 100 feet. Visitors can watch the plume from a small park in the center of town, just steps from the modest but historic Main Street.

Within a short drive, Hooper Springs Park offers another look at the area's unusual geology, with carbonated water bubbling up through travertine terraces. The same cold, mineral-rich groundwater that drew early health-seekers still shapes the town's identity, and a handful of brick buildings downtown hint at that resort-era past.

Just south of town, Caribou-Targhee National Forest covers thousands of acres of the surrounding mountains, with hiking, camping, fishing, and winter sports within roughly a 30- to 45-minute drive. Its terrain includes the alpine country of the Bear River Range, where summer trails wind through wildflower meadows and past the same pioneer routes that once carried emigrants west along the Oregon Trail.

[Bear Lake](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Lake_(Idaho%E2%80%93Utah), straddling the Idaho-Utah border about 50 miles to the southeast, draws visitors for its unusually vivid turquoise water, sometimes called the "Caribbean of the Rockies." Boating, fishing, and beach-going fill the warmer months, and the small resort town of Garden City on the Utah side provides lodging, dining, and outfitters for day-trippers and longer stays alike.

A bit further afield, the limestone passages of Minnetonka Cave offer guided summer tours through underground chambers developed for visitors. The cave lies within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and the drive from Soda Springs takes about 45 minutes, making it a natural half-day side trip.

For travelers weighing where to base themselves in southeastern Idaho, Soda Springs offers an appealing blend of small-town quiet and outdoor access. Its location puts Bear Lake, the Caribou-Targhee backcountry, and the area's many hot springs and historic sites within short drives, while the town itself has just enough character — a scheduled geyser, mineral fountains, and a walkable historic core — to fill unhurried afternoons between adventures.

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