Brookville, Indiana Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Brookville?

Brookville hosts earn a median $28,299/year with $207 ADR and 43% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $42,849+ per year.

See the full Brookville market breakdown

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:

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
Building Code Compliance
- Must meet local building safety standards
- Proper occupancy classifications
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

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
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.

Next step

Found a property in Brookville?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Brookville

Brookville is a small town nestled in Franklin County in southeastern Indiana, with an approximate population of around 2,500 residents. Set along the Whitewater River in the rolling hills of the Whitewater Valley, it has the unhurried, small-town character of a historic county seat, with a compact downtown of 19th-century brick buildings and a quiet, neighborly feel. The town serves as a gateway to the Whitewater River valley's outdoor recreation, including the large reservoir and state park that share its name. Brookville sits roughly 65 miles southeast of Indianapolis and about 55 miles northwest of Cincinnati, placing it within a comfortable drive of two major metropolitan areas while retaining its rural Indiana atmosphere.

One of the town's defining historical attractions is the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, which preserves a stretch of the 19th-century canal that once ran between Lawrenceburg and Hagerstown. Visitors can tour a restored tavern, the historic gristmill, and walk the old towpath along the Whitewater River. The site is right in town, just a short walk or drive from most of the community, and offers a tangible glimpse of Indiana's pre-railroad transportation era.

Just northwest of Brookville lies Brookville Lake, a roughly 5,000-acre reservoir built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Whitewater River. The lake is a regional draw for boating, fishing, sailing, and swimming, with multiple public access points, marinas, and campgrounds ringing its shoreline. From downtown Brookville, the nearest boat ramps are only about 10 to 15 minutes away, making it a convenient anchor activity for visitors.

Bordering the lake is Whitewater Memorial State Park, an Indiana state park known for its wooded hills, family campground, swimming pool, and network of hiking and mountain biking trails. The park hosts an extensive trail system that draws outdoor enthusiasts, and it sits only a short drive from Brookville's center. Together with the lake, it forms the centerpiece of the area's outdoor tourism economy.

For travelers who enjoy history, a worthwhile side trip is the town of Metamora, a small preserved canal village about 15 minutes north of Brookville. It is home to a working gristmill, a covered aqueduct still carrying the old canal over the river, and a handful of artisan shops. Its proximity to Brookville makes it an easy add-on for a day of exploring the Whitewater Valley.

Brookville makes a compelling base for a short-term rental because it offers the calm of a small Indiana river town alongside some of the region's best outdoor recreation. With Brookville Lake, Whitewater Memorial State Park, and a layered canal-era history all within a short drive, guests can pair water sports, hiking, and small-town sightseeing in a single stay. Its position between Indianapolis and Cincinnati also gives it a wide potential draw, attracting weekend visitors and family travelers looking for an affordable, nature-rich alternative to busier tourist hubs.