Jemez Springs, New Mexico Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Jemez Springs?

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Jemez Springs, NM, but only under specific conditions and with proper permitting. The Village of Jemez Springs permits short-term occupancy rentals (STRs) as conditional uses in three designated zoning districts: Rural Development District, Village Center District, and Neighborhood Residential District. STRs are prohibited in all other zoning districts within the village limits.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Jemez Springs?

Jemez Springs hosts earn a median $32,844/year with $175 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,227+ per year.

See the full Jemez Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Jemez Springs

Step 1: Verify Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding, confirm your property is located in one of the three permitted zoning districts:

Rural Development District (130-19)
Village Center District (130-20)
Neighborhood Residential District (130-21)

Properties in these districts may qualify for STR operation as conditional uses, subject to additional requirements.

Step 2: Obtain Required Permits and Licenses

Conditional Use Permit (Primary requirement)
- Apply through Village Planning & Zoning Commission
- Process requires public notification and neighborhood impact evaluation
- Application forms available on village website
Business Registration
- Required before conditional use permit issuance
- Process through Village municipal office
- Standard business licensing requirements
Building Compliance
- Ensure property meets fire, health, and safety codes
- May require inspection depending on property modifications

Step 3: Complete Application Process

Submit conditional use permit application with required documentation
Provide site drawings showing structure distances from property lines and height from ground
Complete any required floodplain review and determination
Pay applicable application and permit fees

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Core Requirements:

Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 130-27, 130-31)
Business Registration (Chapter 20, Article I)
Site Plan showing setbacks, lot coverage, and structure placement
Floodplain Review and Determination (if applicable)

Safety and Compliance Documentation:

Smoke/CO2 alarm certification - Required in each guest room
Fire extinguisher documentation - Accessible emergency equipment
Emergency exit verification - Window or secondary exit per state building code
Proof of compliance with village ordinances:
- Chapter 51: Lighting, Outdoor
- Chapter 64: Nuisances
- Subsection 27: Off-street parking and loading
- Subsection 26: Signs and outdoor advertising devices

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Village of Jemez Springs Requirements:

Zoning Restrictions:

STRs permitted only in Rural Development, Village Center, and Neighborhood Residential districts
Prohibited in all other zoning districts within village limits

Operational Limits:

Maximum stay: 30 days or less
Life safety equipment: Mandatory smoke/CO2 alarms in each guest room
Emergency equipment: One or more fire extinguishers accessible for fire emergencies
Exit requirements: Each guest room must have window or secondary exit per state building code

Compliance Standards:

Must comply with applicable fire, health, and safety codes
Adherence to village lighting, nuisance, parking, and signage ordinances
Setbacks, lot size, and open space requirements per zone regulations

Business Requirements:

Conditional use permit requirements specified by Village Council resolution
Business registration mandatory before permit issuance
All short-term rentals must comply with governing ordinance regardless of prior operation status

State of New Mexico Requirements:

Gross Receipts Tax (GRT):

State GRT base rate: ~5.0% (4.875% in 2024)
Combined rates range from 5% to 8.9% depending on location
Must register for New Mexico Combined Reporting System (CRS) number
Report and pay GRT on rental income monthly or quarterly

Lodgers' Tax:

New Mexico authorizes local governments to levy up to 5% lodgers' tax
Santa Fe County (where Jemez Springs is located): 5% lodgers' tax on short-term rentals
Used to fund local tourism promotion

Business Registration:

If operating as business entity (LLC, corporation): Register with New Mexico Secretary of State
Obtain state tax ID (CRS number) from Taxation & Revenue Department
Required for GRT reporting and compliance

Contact Information for Local Authority

Village of Jemez Springs Planning & Zoning Commission

Address: Village Municipal Offices, Jemez Springs, NM
Phone: (Contact village for current number)
Website: jemezsprings-nm.gov/planning-zoning
Hours: Contact village offices for current hours
Contact: Planning & Zoning Commission

Village Municipal Offices

Website: jemezsprings-nm.gov
Business License Registration: Available through village website
Building Permits: Coordinate with New Mexico Construction Industries Division

New Mexico State Agencies

Construction Industries Division (CID): 505-476-4700
Taxation & Revenue Department: For CRS registration and tax compliance
Secretary of State: For business entity registration

County Level (Sandoval County)

Website: seesandoval.org
Contact: Sandoval County offices for county-level requirements

Source Links

Official Government Documents:

State Resources:

Industry Resources:

Important Notes for Investors:

Jemez Springs has a specific, clearly defined STR ordinance with explicit permitting requirements
The village emphasizes compliance with public safety and community welfare standards
Properties must be in designated zoning districts to qualify
All STR operations must comply with state tax requirements in addition to local permits
Given the small village nature, early consultation with local authorities is recommended before investment

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs is a tiny village tucked into the forested Jemez Mountains of Sandoval County in north-central New Mexico, with a permanent population of only a few hundred residents. The community is best known for its namesake natural hot springs, which have drawn visitors for centuries and continue to define the village's laid-back, restorative character. It also serves as a gateway to some of northern New Mexico's most striking landscapes, including the Valles Caldera and the historic Jemez region of Pueblo and Spanish-era sites. The village sits roughly 55 to 60 miles northwest of Albuquerque, an easy drive of about an hour and a half through the wooded canyons of State Road 4, and within range of Santa Fe and Los Alamos as day-trip destinations.

The most prominent natural attraction within easy reach of the village is the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a vast 89,000-acre grassland and forest basin formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. The preserve offers wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing in winter, and its main entrance along NM-4 is only about a 25-minute drive from Jemez Springs. Visitors come to spot elk herds, walk the short Valle Grande overlook trail, and take in the sweeping open vistas that look unlike anywhere else in the southern Rockies.

Just over an hour from the village, Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes and territory of the ancestral Pueblo people in a series of dramatic canyons and mesas near Los Alamos. Hikers can explore cliff dwellings, climb wooden ladders into cavates carved into the volcanic tuff, and learn about centuries of human history in a setting of high desert beauty. The monument is one of the most visited cultural sites in the region and pairs naturally with a stay in Jemez Springs.

Closer to home, the Jemez Historic Site, sometimes called Giusewa Pueblo, lies about 20 minutes south of the village in the town of Jemez Pueblo. The site combines the stone ruins of a 14th-century village with the substantial remains of the 17th-century San José de los Jeméz mission church, offering a layered look at both ancestral Puebloan life and the later Spanish colonial period. Short trails wind past kivas and old foundations, and the on-site visitor center interprets the long human history of the valley.

The village of Jemez Springs itself is small enough that the hot springs, a handful of locally owned inns, and a few cafes and art galleries make up most of the activity, but its setting is the real draw. With the national forest on every side, the Valles Caldera minutes away, and both Bandelier and Santa Fe within a comfortable drive, the area offers short-term rental guests a rare combination of quiet seclusion and easy access to some of New Mexico's most distinctive natural and cultural attractions, making it an appealing base for travelers who want to slow down while still exploring the wider Jemez region.