Ashley, North Dakota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Ashley, ND?

Explicit Answer: Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Ashley, ND. However, based on the available municipal code, there are no city-specific short-term rental regulations or dedicated STR licensing requirements currently codified. The city operates under a general business framework where rental properties are treated as standard lodging operations subject to general municipal oversight rather than specialized STR ordinances.

This absence of specific STR regulations means that short-term rental operators in Ashley operate under the broader municipal framework outlined in the Ashley Municipal Code, with potential state-level regulations applying as well.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ashley?

Ashley hosts earn a median $19,100/year with $121 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $25,205+ per year.

See the full Ashley market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ashley, ND

Starting an STR in Ashley follows a straightforward process due to the lack of city-specific restrictions:

Step 1: Property Selection and Zoning Verification

Verify that your property is located within Ashley's corporate limits
Confirm zoning allows for rental lodging operations
Ensure the property meets all building and safety requirements
Consider proximity to downtown area for tourist appeal

Step 2: Business Registration

Register your business with McIntosh County
Obtain any necessary state business licenses
Consider obtaining a North Dakota sales tax permit if applicable

Step 3: Municipal Compliance

Contact the City Auditor's office to confirm no city-specific STR requirements exist
Ensure compliance with general property maintenance ordinances
Verify adherence to building codes and safety standards

Step 4: Operational Setup

Establish utility accounts (water, sewer, electric, gas)
Set up garbage collection service
Ensure adequate insurance coverage for rental operations
Implement proper record-keeping systems for tax purposes

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the Ashley Municipal Code, the following general requirements apply:

Municipal Requirements:

No specific STR permit required under current city ordinances. However, operators should verify current requirements with city officials.

General Business Compliance:

Property tax registration
Utility service applications
Compliance with Title 17 - Planning and Zoning requirements
Adherence to Title 13 - Public Nuisances regulations
Building safety compliance under Title 5, Chapter 13 (Building Inspector)

State-Level Requirements:

North Dakota business license (if operating as formal business entity)
Sales tax registration if applicable
Workers' compensation insurance (if employees)
Property insurance coverage

Local Health Requirements:

Title 5, Chapter 14 outlines Health Officer duties
Compliance with state health codes for lodging facilities
Proper waste disposal and sanitation standards

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations:

Since no specific STR ordinances exist, general municipal codes apply:

Title 8 - Licenses and Permits:

Chapter 1 provides general rules for licenses and permits
Current ordinances cover beer/liquor licenses, solicitors, transient merchants, and peddlers
STR operations would fall under "miscellaneous" category if specific licensing were required

Title 13 - Public Nuisances:

Regulations against substandard structures (Chapter 2)
Weed control requirements (Chapter 3)
Noise control provisions (Chapter 5)
Abandoned property regulations (Chapter 7)

Title 10 - Collection and Disposal of Refuse:

Mandatory participation in city waste collection
Proper container requirements (Chapter 5)
Storage regulations (Chapter 6)

Title 12 - Water and Sewer:

Connection requirements for all properties
Utility service regulations
Billing and payment procedures

County-Level Regulations:

McIntosh County may have additional requirements for:

Property taxes and assessments
Building permits and inspections
Health department regulations

State-Level Regulations (North Dakota):

State lodging facility regulations
Fire safety codes
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance
Sales tax collection and remittance
Workers' compensation requirements (if applicable)

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary City Contacts:

City Hall / Administration

Address: Ashley, ND (specific address not provided in code)
Regular Council Meetings: 7:30 PM, Second Monday of each month
Location: City Hall Council Chamber

Key Officials:

City Auditor (Primary Administrative Contact)

Duties: License and permit collection, utility billing, city records
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Email: [Contact city hall for current email]
Role: First point of contact for business licensing and utility setup

Mayor

Legislative leadership and ordinance enforcement oversight
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Email: [Contact city hall for current email]

City Attorney

Legal guidance on business operations and compliance
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Email: [Contact city hall for current email]

Building Inspector (Title 5, Chapter 13)

Building code compliance and inspections
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Email: [Contact city hall for current email]

Health Officer (Title 5, Chapter 14)

Health and safety compliance for lodging facilities
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Email: [Contact city hall for current email]

County Contacts:

McIntosh County

Address: Ashley, ND
Phone: [Contact for current county contact information]
Website: [County website not specified in municipal code]

State Contacts:

North Dakota Secretary of State

Business registration and licensing
Website: www.nd.gov/sos
Phone: 701-328-2900

North Dakota Department of Health

Lodging facility regulations
Website: www.health.nd.gov
Phone: 701-328-2372

Important Notes for STR Investors

Regulatory Monitoring:

Ashley's municipal code was last revised April 1, 2015
STR regulations may be adopted in the future
Monitor city council meetings (second Monday of each month) for potential ordinance changes

Best Practices:

Maintain comprehensive liability insurance
Establish professional property management
Keep detailed records for tax purposes
Ensure compliance with all applicable building codes
Maintain properties to avoid public nuisance violations

Market Considerations:

Ashley is a small rural community in McIntosh County
Tourist activity likely seasonal
Competition may be limited
Consider local economic conditions and tourism trends

Source Pages

Ashley Municipal Code (Revised Ordinances): www.ashley-nd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/AshleyMunicipalCode.pdf
City of Ashley Official Website: www.ashley-nd.com/

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the Ashley Municipal Code as of the last revision date of April 1, 2015. Municipal regulations can change, and investors should verify current requirements with city officials before making investment decisions. The absence of specific STR ordinances does not exempt properties from general building codes, health regulations, or future ordinance adoption.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Ashley

Ashley is a small prairie city in McIntosh County, in the south-central part of North Dakota, where it serves as the county seat. With a population of approximately 750 residents, it has the quiet, tight-knit character typical of the rural Great Plains, surrounded by miles of wheat fields, grasslands, and gently rolling farmland. The community functions largely as a service center for the surrounding agricultural region and offers visitors a glimpse of the unspoiled, wide-open landscapes of central North Dakota. Ashley sits roughly 90 to 100 miles southeast of Bismarck, the state capital and the nearest major city, and is connected to the regional road network by state highways that traverse some of the state's most uninterrupted prairie.

The McIntosh County countryside around Ashley is part of one of North America's most popular upland game bird hunting regions. Each fall, hunters travel from across the country to pursue pheasants and other game across the area's mix of cropland, Conservation Reserve Program grasslands, and small wetlands. The wide horizons, grain elevators, and modest farmsteads scattered across the landscape give the area a quintessentially rural feel, and the slower pace appeals to travelers looking for an authentic slice of Plains life rather than a typical tourist destination. Local guides, outfitters, and small inns in nearby towns serve the seasonal hunting trade, and the wide-open scenery carries through every season.

To the north of Ashley lies Beaver Lake State Park, a peaceful outdoor destination known for its wooded shoreline, fishing, and small campground. Surrounded by a mix of prairie and deciduous trees, the park offers a quiet contrast to the surrounding grasslands and is one of the more popular day-use and overnight spots in south-central North Dakota. It is within easy driving distance of Ashley and adds a genuine outdoor recreation option to the area, particularly for families, anglers, and travelers seeking a night under the stars.

Further afield, the city of Bismarck, the state capital, offers a richer urban experience roughly 90 miles to the northwest. Visitors there can explore the North Dakota State Capitol, the Missouri River waterfront, the historic downtown, and a growing collection of shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. The drive between Ashley and Bismarck cuts through the heart of the state's prairie country, with wide skies and big views that remain one of North Dakota's defining features.

Ashley makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it sits in one of the most authentic stretches of the northern Great Plains, away from the busier tourist corridors but within reach of both outdoor recreation and the amenities of a state capital. Its small-town character, affordable setting, and central location make it well suited to hunters, prairie travelers, road-trippers, and anyone interested in experiencing the quieter side of North Dakota. Combined with the draw of regional state parks and the cultural offerings of Bismarck, Ashley offers an unhurried base from which to explore a part of the state that many travelers never see.