Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in South Bend, IN? Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in South Bend, IN, subject to city registration/licensing, annual renewal, inspections, and compliance with local ordinances. The city defines STRs as residential dwellings rented to guests for thirty days or less. Investors may own up to four STR properties and may operate through a business entity. As of the latest available guidance, there are no explicit zoning restrictions for STRs, though all STRs must comply with housing, building, and safety codes and complete landlord registration and any required inspections before operation.

Key reference: City of South Bend Code of Ordinances – Residential Advertising/Permitted Uses (Municode).

How to Start an STR Business in South Bend

• Confirm eligibility and property fit
  • Non-owner-occupied residential properties are eligible; the city allows investors to own up to four STR properties.
  • Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, and multifamily units may be registered as vacation rentals if they comply with applicable codes.
• Pre-application preparation
  • Assemble ownership documents, property address, contact details, and responsible agent information.
  • Gather floor plans and emergency procedures (if requested by city for inspections).
  • Confirm that all rentals you own are listed on a single landlord registration account; you may assign property managers to individual properties.
  • Set up an OpenGov account to submit the registration and manage renewals.
• Register the property with the city
  • Complete the City of South Bend Landlord Registration for all non-owner-occupied rentals before listing on any platform.
  • Pay the registration fee and any penalties if submitting late or with incomplete information.
• Licensing and inspection
  • The city requires an occupancy inspection to verify minimum property standards (International Property Maintenance Code), covering electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation, safety devices, and structural integrity.
  • Designate a responsible agent who will serve as the primary contact for guests and city communications.
• Platform onboarding and taxes
  • List on Airbnb/VRBO after receiving city registration and passing inspection.
  • Both platforms generally collect and remit applicable lodging/innkeeper’s taxes; verify your tax set-up directly with the platforms and confirm your local obligations.
• Annual renewal and compliance
  • Registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually prior to September 1.
  • Monitor ordinance updates, maintain safety systems, and keep records for inspections, taxes, and guest communications.

Steps supported by: City of South Bend Landlord Registration portal and ordinance references; STR ordinance summaries and inspection requirements.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Landlord registration (required for all non-owner-occupied residential and multi-unit properties)
  • Property owner information and physical mailing address (no P.O. boxes).
  • Property location details and number of units.
  • Responsible agent name and contact information (for each property).
  • Optional: Property manager assignments for each location.
  • Fee: $5 per owner/landlord; registration must be renewed annually.
• Licensing and inspections
  • An occupancy inspection is required to obtain/maintain STR status; inspections verify compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code.
  • Responsible agent designation is required; the agent acts as the liaison with guests and the city.
• Penalties for non-compliance
  • $300 civil penalty for failure to renew by the deadline.
  • $100 civil penalty for submitting an incomplete registration.
  • Updates to the registration (adding/removing properties or changing managers) must be made by the owner through the OpenGov portal.
• Practical guidance
  • All properties under the same owner and property manager should be registered in one account (up to 100 properties on a single account if managed by the same owner/manager).
  • If you both self-manage and use a property manager for different properties, create separate registrations to accurately reflect the portfolio.
  • Property managers should instruct owners to complete the registration; owners are ultimately responsible for compliance.

Requirements supported by: City Landlord Registration portal and ordinance references; inspection requirements per International Property Maintenance Code.

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City of South Bend (Local)

• Definitions and scope
  • STRs are residential dwellings rented to guests for thirty days or less.
• Ownership cap
  • Investors may own up to four vacation rental properties.
• Zoning
  • No explicit zoning restrictions were identified for STRs in the current guidance; however, properties must comply with applicable codes.
• Registration and fees
  • Mandatory landlord registration for all non-owner-occupied rental properties.
  • $5 registration fee; $300 penalty for failure to renew; $100 penalty for incomplete submissions.
• Inspections and safety
  • Occupancy inspections required using the International Property Maintenance Code.
• Responsible agent
  • Required to serve as guest/city liaison.
• License term and renewal
  • Registration/licensing is valid for one year and must be renewed annually prior to September 1.
• Insurance
  • No specific insurance requirements identified in the current guidance; best practice is to maintain liability and property coverage.
• Occupancy limits
  • No city-mandated occupancy limits identified in the current guidance.
• Tax collection/remittance
  • Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit applicable lodging/innkeeper’s taxes for bookings made through the platforms. Hosts should verify setup and obligations directly with platforms and the city/county.
• Proximity to the University of Notre Dame
  • No specific STR restrictions tied to distance from the university were identified in the current guidance.

County (St. Joseph County)

• No county-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided content.

State (Indiana)

• Indiana collects a Statewide Innkeeper’s Tax on short-term lodging; platforms like Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit this tax for bookings made through their systems. Hosts should confirm their specific tax setup and obligations with the platforms and the Indiana Department of Revenue.

City ordinance and portal references: South Bend Code of Ordinances (Residential Advertising/Permitted Uses); Landlord Registration portal.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Code Enforcement (City of South Bend)
  • Phone: 574-233-0311
  • Email: CodeEnforcement@southbendin.gov
• Landlord Registration Support (City of South Bend)
  • Email: landlordregistration@southbendin.gov
• Landlord Registration Portal
  • Online application and renewal: OpenGov Landlord Registration
• General City Contact
  • South Bend City Hall: 574-233-0311
  • Address: 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Links to Source Pages

• South Bend STR Ordinance (Residential Advertising/Permitted Uses): library.municode.com/in/south_bend/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SUHITA_CH6BU_ART14RESAVEPR
• South Bend Landlord Registration Info (City page): southbendin.gov/initiative/landlord-registration/
• OpenGov Landlord Registration Portal (Apply/Renew): southbendin.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082/record-types/6426
• South Bend Ordinance 10644-19 (Inspection standards reference): mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/13974/947693/pdf?forceDownload=true
• Airbnb Help – Taxes Collected/Remitted: www.airbnb.com/help/article/2596
• VRBO Help – Lodging/Stay Taxes Collected/Remitted: help.vrbo.com/articles/What-Stay-Taxes-Lodging-Taxes-does-HomeAway-collect-and-remit

Notes for Investors

• Use one OpenGov account for all properties under the same owner and property manager, and keep it current; owners must make updates to the portfolio.
• Registration must be renewed each year before September 1; build internal reminders to avoid penalties.
• Confirm the responsible agent designation and ensure they are prepared to handle guest issues and city communications.
• Verify platform tax settings and maintain documentation for audits.
• Monitor city ordinance updates; the regulatory environment for STRs evolves and may introduce additional requirements in the future.

Disclaimer: The information provided is general guidance for investors and may not reflect the most current legal developments. Always consult the city’s official resources or qualified legal and tax professionals for compliance decisions.