Brian Head, Utah Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Brian Head, Utah. Brian Head Town requires ALL short-term/nightly rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days) to be licensed with the Town. Nightly rentals are regulated under Brian Head Town Code, Title 3, Chapter 2A. Operating without a valid business license violates Town Code 3-2A-1 and constitutes a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 plus tripled application fees ($450).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Brian Head?

Brian Head hosts earn a median $21,030/year with $204 ADR and 41% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $33,101+ per year.

See the full Brian Head market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Brian Head

Step-by-Step Licensing Process

Step 1: Application Submission

Complete the Nightly Rental Business License Application
Submit required documents (see Required Documents section below)
Pay associated fees

Step 2: Fire Inspection

Schedule and complete fire inspection before license issuance
Address all fire safety requirements
Pay $30 inspection fee per unit (re-inspection fee: additional $30)

Step 3: Review and Processing

Town staff reviews submitted application and inspection results
Application processed for business license approval

Step 4: Annual Renewal

All licenses expire September 30th annually
Renewal season begins October 1st
Renewal notices sent in September

Dedicated Responsible Party Requirement

You must designate a local contact (cleaning company, property manager, or yourself) who can respond quickly to complaints and violations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business License Requirements

Nightly Rental Business License Application (specific to nightly rentals)
Sales Tax ID Number (specific to Brian Head for sales and transient room taxes collection)
Owner Affidavit (must be signed by property owner, even if using management company)

Insurance Requirements

Proof of Insurance (declaration page showing property address and owner)
Homeowner Association insurance policies are NOT sufficient
Individual property insurance is required

Property Information Required

Physical address of rental property
Condo complex and unit number (for condos)
Number of bedrooms
Square footage (calculation basis for occupancy limits)
Number of on-site parking spaces

Safety and Compliance Requirements

Fire Inspection Certificate ($30 initial, biennial renewals required)
Good Neighbor Policy posting (must be visible at main entryway)
Overnight Parking Map posting (must be visible at main entryway)
Maximum occupancy limits posted near main entryway
Parking spaces must be posted for guests

Tax and Fee Documentation

Sales Tax Certificate (from State Tax Commission)
Enhanced Service Business License Fee quarterly reports
Transient room tax compliance documentation

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning and Occupancy

Properties must comply with residential zoning requirements
Maximum Occupancy Calculation: Based on Fire Code - one (1) person per 200 square feet of living space
Garage space is NOT included in square footage calculations
Square footage verification through County property records

Parking Regulations

Critical Winter Parking Restriction: No parking on ANY Town roads/streets between November 1st through April 30th
Vehicles parked on Town roads during winter months may be cited and/or towed
All parking must be on the property year-round
Guests must be informed of parking restrictions and overflow locations
Overnight parking map provided by Town identifies designated overflow areas

Fire Safety Requirements

All new rental units require fire inspection
Re-inspection required if initial inspection fails
Biennial fire inspections required after initial approval
Compliance with current Town Fire Marshal restrictions
Extinguishing fireplace ashes before disposal required

Guest Conduct Guidelines (Good Neighbor Policy)

24-hour contact information must be posted in rental unit
Quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Respect for neighbors' property rights
Trash disposal in designated dumpsters only
Pet restrictions and cleanup requirements
Emergency contact: 911
Non-emergency police: (435) 677-2043

Tax Collection and Remittance

State and Local Taxes Collected by Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO):

1.6% Resort Community Tax
1% Municipal Transient Room Tax
1.4% combination tax (1% local option + 0.30% municipal highway + 0.10% PAR)

Enhanced Service Business License Fee (1.5%):

NOT collected by advertising platforms
Owner's direct responsibility to collect and remit quarterly
Based on gross taxable sales
Due 30 days after quarter end
Even zero-sales require quarterly reporting
License may be suspended/revoked for non-compliance

Cleaning Company Requirements

All cleaning companies operating in Brian Head must hold valid business licenses
Unlicensed cleaning companies face citation
Property owners should verify their cleaning company is properly licensed

Contact Information for Local Authority

Brian Head Town Hall

Physical Address: 56 North Hwy 143
Brian Head, UT 84719

Mailing Address: PO Box 190068
Brian Head, UT 84719

Phone: 435-677-2029

Email - Town Clerk: nleigh@bhtown.utah.gov
Email - Applications: ahunter@bhtown.utah.gov

State Tax Commission

Phone: (801) 297-2200 or (800) 662-4335
Website: tax.utah.gov/

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Services: 911
Non-Emergency Police: (435) 677-2043

Source Pages

Investment Considerations

Brian Head presents a robust short-term rental market with well-defined regulatory framework. The town actively supports the STR industry while maintaining strict safety and neighborhood protection standards. Key investment considerations include:

High Activity Market: 858 active listings with median revenue of $24,451 annually
Seasonal Considerations: Winter sports market drives significant demand, but strict parking regulations require adequate on-site parking
Compliance Costs: Initial licensing, fire inspections, and ongoing tax remittance create operational overhead
Winter Operations: Properties must maintain year-round parking accessibility, critical for compliance
Management Requirements: Local contact designation suggests benefit from professional management or local partnerships

The regulatory environment is transparent and manageable for professional operators who plan for compliance costs and seasonal operational requirements.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Brian Head

Brian Head is a tiny alpine village in Iron County, Utah, perched atop the Markagunt Plateau at an elevation above 9,800 feet. The town has a year-round population of only a few hundred residents, swelling considerably during the winter ski season and summer recreation months. It is best known as the home of Brian Head Ski Resort, the southernmost ski area in Utah, and serves as a high-elevation gateway to several of southern Utah's most celebrated natural attractions. The nearest sizable city is Cedar City, roughly 30 miles to the west along scenic Highway 14, while Las Vegas lies about 170 miles to the southwest and Salt Lake City sits roughly 240 miles to the north.

The obvious anchor for any visit is Brian Head Ski Resort, which sprawls across two peaks — Brian Head Peak and Navajo Peak — and offers skiing and snowboarding from late fall through mid-spring, with one of the longest seasons in the region thanks to its high base elevation. In summer, the same lifts give way to mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and a packed schedule of weekend events. The resort sits within walking distance of nearly every cabin and condo in town, making it the centerpiece of the community.

Just a few miles east of town lies Cedar Breaks National Monument, a breathtaking natural amphitheater carved into the edge of the plateau and filled with crimson- and amber-colored hoodoos, spires, and cliffs. At over 10,000 feet, the monument offers cool temperatures, wildflower meadows in summer, and one of the darkest night skies in the contiguous United States, making it a popular stop for stargazing. From Brian Head, the rim can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes by car.

The surrounding Dixie National Forest blankets more than two million acres of southern Utah and provides immediate access to hiking, fishing, and off-roading. Panguitch Lake, a popular trout fishing destination, lies roughly 20 miles to the east, while a network of ATV and hiking trails fans out directly from town. A short drive also opens the door to two of Utah's marquee national parks: Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its otherworldly hoodoo amphitheaters, is about an hour and a half to the east, and Zion National Park, with its towering sandstone cliffs and the Narrows, is roughly two hours to the south. Closer in, the small university town of Cedar City hosts the renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival each summer and fall, adding a cultural counterpoint to the outdoor appeal.

For short-term rental investors, Brian Head offers a rare combination of small-town quiet, four-season recreation, and proximity to some of the most-visited landscapes in the American Southwest. Its high elevation delivers snowy winters that complement southern Utah's notoriously hot summers, and its location within an hour of two national parks and a national monument gives guests a reason to book in every season. With limited on-site lodging inventory and a strong sense of place, the town remains a quietly compelling base for travelers exploring the edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Brian Head, Utah

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Brian Head, Utah