Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Brookville, IN

Short-term rentals are allowed in Brookville, Indiana. Based on market analysis data and local zoning regulations, Brookville operates under a low-regulation environment for short-term rentals, offering significant operational flexibility for investors. The Franklin County zoning code does not contain specific provisions prohibiting or heavily regulating STRs, and local market analysis indicates fewer restrictions compared to many other jurisdictions.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Brookville, IN

Step 1: Market Research and Property Selection

Brookville's STR market shows promising fundamentals:

• 17 active listings in the market (as of 2025)
• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $256
• Median Annual Revenue: $25,638
• Occupancy Rate: 37.3%
• Peak season: August (highest revenue month)
• Low season: January (lowest revenue month)

Step 2: Zoning Compliance Assessment

Before purchasing or converting a property, verify zoning compliance under the Franklin County Zoning and Subdivision Control Code. Key residential zoning districts that may permit STR operations:

• R-1 Single-Family Residential (Section 80.03.04)
• R-2 Single-Family and Two-Family Residential (Section 80.03.05)
• R-3 Multi-Family Residential (Section 80.03.06)

Step 3: Property Investment and Setup

Based on market composition analysis:

• 100% of listings are "Entire Home/Apartment" properties
• 47.1% are house properties (most common type)
• 58.8% are 3-bedroom properties (dominant room capacity)
• 64.7% accommodate 8+ guests (most common capacity)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Regulatory Status

No specific STR permits or licenses are currently required in Brookville, Indiana based on available documentation. However, investors should verify this with local authorities as regulations may change.

Standard Property Requirements

All STR properties must comply with:

1. Improvement Location Permit (Section 80.11.04)

   • Required for any structure erection, alteration, or change of use
   • Issued by the Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission

2. Building Code Compliance

   • Must meet local building safety standards
   • Proper occupancy classifications

3. Basic Zoning Compliance

   • Property must be in an appropriate zoning district
   • Must meet all setback, height, and coverage requirements

Recommended Best Practices

• Minimum Stay: 2 nights (used by 93.8% of local listings)
• Cancellation Policy: Consider "Strict" policy (used by 53.3% of listings)
• Essential Amenities: Ensure presence of dryer, A/C, WiFi, smoke alarm, kitchen, free parking, hot water, TV, heating, fire extinguisher

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level (Brookville)

No city-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided documentation. Brookville operates under Franklin County zoning regulations without additional municipal restrictions on short-term rentals.

County-Level (Franklin County)

The Franklin County Zoning and Subdivision Control Code governs land use:

Relevant Zoning Districts for STRs:

• R-1 Residential Zone:

  • Single-family dwellings permitted
  • Minimum lot size: 1 acre (septic) or 10,000 sq ft (sewer)
  • Minimum ground floor area: 1,440 sq ft (two-story) or 1,000 sq ft (one-story Brookville specific)

• R-2 Residential Zone:

  • Single-family and two-family dwellings permitted
  • Minimum lot size: 16,000 sq ft (septic) or 8,000 sq ft (sewer)

• R-3 Residential Zone:

  • Single-family, two-family, and multi-family dwellings permitted
  • Minimum lot size varies by use type and sewage availability

General Requirements:

• Parking: Minimum two spaces per family (Section 80.08.06)
• Setbacks: Vary by zone (Section 80.08.03)
• Maximum Height: 35 feet in residential zones
• Maximum Lot Coverage: 25-70% depending on specific use

State-Level (Indiana)

Indiana maintains a relatively hands-off approach to short-term rentals at the state level, with primary regulation occurring at the local/municipal level. No specific state-level STR restrictions were identified in the provided materials.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Franklin County Area Plan Commission

Executive Director

• Responsibilities: Issuing Improvement Location Permits, investigating violations, maintaining Zone Map
• Applications for zoning matters: Conditional Uses, Variances, Rezonings

Key Staff Positions:

• Executive Director: Administrative oversight and permit issuance
• APC Board: Seven-member board meeting monthly
• Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA): Five-member board handling variances and appeals

Contact Process:

• All hearings require public notification
• Applications require newspaper notices and certified letters to surrounding landowners
• Fees vary by application type (contact office for current schedule)

Meeting Schedule:

• APC Board and BZA meet once monthly, typically second Wednesday
• Additional meetings scheduled as needed

For Specific STR Inquiries: Contact the Area Plan Commission office directly to:

• Verify current zoning requirements for your property
• Confirm no new STR regulations have been adopted
• Inquire about any pending zoning changes

Market Performance and Investment Considerations

Revenue Metrics (2025 Data)

• Average Monthly Revenue Range: $1,364 (bottom 25%) to $5,612+ (top 10%)
• Median Monthly Revenue: $2,308
• Peak Revenue Month: August (avg. $4,265)
• Lowest Revenue Month: January (avg. $1,500)

Seasonal Performance Patterns

• Peak Season (June-August): 51.7% occupancy, $240 ADR
• Shoulder Season: 38.4% occupancy, $249 ADR
• Low Season (Jan-Mar): 23.5% occupancy, $324 ADR

Guest Demographics

• 100% domestic travelers
• Top origins: Cincinnati area
• Primary age group: Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) at 50%
• Languages: English (90.2%), Spanish (4.9%)

Source Links

1. AirROI Market Analysis: www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/indiana/brookville

   • Provides comprehensive STR market data and performance metrics
   • Last updated: May 1, 2025
   • Data period: May 2024 to April 2025

2. Franklin County Zoning Code: www.franklincounty.in.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Franklin-County-Citizens-Zoning-and-Subdivision-Control-Code.pdf

   • Comprehensive zoning regulations for Franklin County
   • Current version incorporates revisions through February 2010

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available documentation as of the date provided. Investors should verify current regulations and requirements with local authorities before making investment decisions, as zoning laws and STR regulations may change.