Valley City, North Dakota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Note on scope: Valley-City-specific rules were not identified in the sources reviewed. This guide covers statewide North Dakota requirements that apply to Valley City, plus guidance on local processes you must verify. If the city or county adopts its own STR ordinance, it will supersede or add to state rules.

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Valley City, ND?

Short-term rentals are allowed in North Dakota under state law and are treated as taxable lodging when rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. There is no statewide ban. However, local governments (cities and counties) can regulate short-term rentals through zoning, permitting, licensing, and additional taxes. Because Valley-City-specific ordinances were not found in the provided sources, you must confirm with Valley City and/or Barnes County whether any local rules apply (e.g., bans, caps, permits, business licenses, or local lodging taxes).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Valley City?

Valley City hosts earn a median $21,088/year with $173 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $32,265+ per year.

See the full Valley City market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Confirm your property’s eligibility.

Check local zoning (Valley City and Barnes County) to ensure short-term rental use is permitted on your parcel. Some jurisdictions restrict non-owner-occupied STRs, cap nights per year, or limit concentration in certain zones.

Choose your rental structure.

Decide whether you’ll operate as an owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied STR. If you’ll handle bookings independently (rather than through a platform), you must collect and remit applicable lodging taxes yourself.

Register with the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner to obtain any required sales/lodging tax permits. Expect to collect and remit lodging taxes and to file regular returns.

Clarify local registration and taxes.

Contact Valley City and Barnes County to confirm if a business license, local permit, or local lodging tax applies to your STR. If so, complete those processes before hosting.

Align with HOA/landlord rules and insurance.

Review any HOA covenants or rental restrictions; obtain landlord/host liability insurance appropriate for short-term stays.

Operational readiness.

Prepare guest materials (house rules, parking, trash, noise), safety measures, and recordkeeping systems for taxes, bookings, and guest communications.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State registration
- North Dakota sales/lodging tax permit and account set-up with the Office of State Tax Commissioner. This enables you to collect lodging taxes and file returns.
Local registrations and taxes (confirm with Valley City and Barnes County)
- City or county business license or STR permit if required.
- Local lodging/tourist taxes where applicable (additional to state taxes).
- Zoning compliance confirmation for STR use.
Bookings and platforms
- If you list on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar, they may automatically collect North Dakota state lodging taxes on your behalf. However, platforms do not always collect local taxes; verify local obligations and remit as required.
Tax filings
- Periodic lodging/sales tax returns (frequency depends on your registration).
- Annual income tax filings for net STR income.
Insurance and governance
- Appropriate landlord/host liability coverage for short stays.
- Conformance with HOA rules or lease covenants, if applicable.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Statewide (North Dakota)

Definition and tax trigger: rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days are considered short-term lodging subject to lodging tax.
State lodging taxes: apply to the total charge including rent and most guest fees (e.g., cleaning, pet fees).
Registration: hosts must register with the Office of State Tax Commissioner to collect and remit lodging taxes.
Income taxes: STR revenue is taxable and must be reported annually.

Local (Valley City, Barnes County)

City- or county-specific STR ordinances were not identified in the provided sources. Many North Dakota jurisdictions have no separate STR law and rely on general zoning and business tax processes; others have adopted additional rules. You must verify:
- Zoning eligibility (owner-occupied vs non-owner-occupied).
- Whether a local permit or business license is required.
- Whether a local lodging tax is imposed and how it is collected/remitted.

Compliance and enforcement

ND requires timely filings even in periods with no activity (“zero returns”). Non-compliance can lead to penalties and interest.
If you discover past non-compliance, consider a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) with the ND Office of State Tax Commissioner to limit penalties for prior periods.

Note on venue: Some third-party resources referenced Fargo as a city example in North Dakota; those examples are not specific to Valley City and should not be assumed to apply locally.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
- Website (general lodging/sales tax resources): ndtax.gov (North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner)
- Phone: (701) 328–1240
- Mailing address: 600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 127, Bismarck, ND 58505–0594
Valley City (verify contact for STR inquiries)
- City Hall: (701) 845–0100
- Address: 160 2nd Ave NE, Valley City, ND 58072
Barnes County (verify contact for STR inquiries)
- County Courthouse (tax/clerk): (701) 845–8500
- Address: 230 4th St NW, Valley City, ND 58072

Tip: For the most authoritative guidance, request written confirmation from the city and county regarding whether a local permit/license and any local lodging tax apply to your STR.

Links to Source Pages (If Available)

North Dakota lodging tax guide and requirements (Steadily overview linking to Avalara ND guide): www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-north-dakota
Avalara North Dakota vacation rental tax guide (registration, taxes, definitions): www.avalara.com/mylodgetax/en/resources/vacation-rental-tax-guides/north-dakota.html
Fargo STR example page (third-party, for general context; not Valley-City-specific): www.buildyourbn.com/us-airbnb-and-short-term-rental-regulations/fargo

Practical summary

North Dakota allows short-term rentals and applies lodging taxes to stays under 30 days.
Register with the ND Office of State Tax Commissioner for state lodging taxes.
Confirm any Valley City or Barnes County STR rules and local taxes before listing.
File returns on time, keep records, and address any past non-compliance through a VDA if necessary.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Valley City

Valley City is a small prairie community in southeastern North Dakota, serving as the seat of Barnes County. With a population of roughly 6,500, it carries the long-standing nickname the "City of Bridges" because of the nearly dozen historic and modern spans that cross the Sheyenne River as it loops through town. The city sits in the broader Sheyenne River Valley, a green corridor of woodlands, wetlands, and farmland that contrasts with the surrounding plains, and it functions as a convenient gateway to outdoor recreation in the region. Valley City lies about 60 miles west of Fargo, the nearest major city, and roughly 100 miles southwest of Grand Forks, making it an easy day-trip or overnight stop for travelers exploring eastern North Dakota.

The Sheyenne River Valley itself is one of the area's defining features, with the river carving a surprisingly lush landscape just minutes from downtown. The valley is followed by the North Country National Scenic Trail, a long-distance hiking route that passes through the area and offers walkers a chance to experience the river bottoms, bluffs, and prairie edge without straying far from the city. Visitors can pick up trail segments just outside of town, making it a draw for both casual hikers and through-hikers.

A short drive northwest of Valley City brings visitors to Lake Ashtabula, a reservoir on the Sheyenne River created by the Baldhill Dam. The lake is well known locally for fishing, boating, and shoreline camping, with several public access points and small recreation areas ringing its banks. It's a popular warm-weather destination for families and anglers, particularly for walleye and northern pike, and adds a noticeable seasonal boost to the area's visitor traffic.

Within the city, Medicine Wheel Park offers a quieter but distinctive stop. Built around a large medicine wheel and a stone effigy, the park reflects the Native American heritage of the region and is often used as a gathering place for cultural events. Just outside the city, the Valley City National Fish Hatchery raises fish for regional waters and includes a visitor area where guests can learn about aquatic ecology in the northern plains.

Valley City appeals to short-term rental investors because it combines the charm of a small historic prairie town with surprisingly diverse outdoor amenities. The steady flow of travelers heading to Lake Ashtabula, hikers and bikers on the North Country Trail, and visitors passing through between Fargo and the western part of the state create year-round demand for lodging. The city's walkable downtown, scenic river valley setting, and position as a regional hub for Barnes County give it a character that goes well beyond a typical interstate stop.