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Roosevelt, UT

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STR Regulations for Roosevelt, Utah

Note: This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Always consult the city and state before investing or operating any lodging.

Overview: Are STRs allowed?

No. Short‑term residential rental properties—commonly known as STRs—are explicitly prohibited in Roosevelt, UT. The city’s zoning code states: “Short‑term residential rental properties are prohibited in all residential zones, mobile home zones and agricultural zones.” This prohibition applies to any property used for hostel, hotel, inn, lodging, motel, resort, or other transient lodging where occupancy is twenty‑nine (29) consecutive calendar days or less for remuneration (compensation, money, rent, or other consideration). See Roosevelt Municipal Code §17.01.180. Because the rule is part of the zoning ordinance, “Any use not expressly allowed by these ordinances is prohibited.” §17.01.030.

In practical terms:

  • Renting a residential dwelling, mobile home, or property in an agricultural zone for stays of 29 days or less is not permitted in Roosevelt.
  • Operating an STR through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, or others would violate the city’s zoning code.

Because STRs are banned in residential, mobile home, and agricultural zones, investors should not pursue that model in Roosevelt. The city does not issue permits or licenses that would authorize STRs in these zones. The only realistic lodging uses are in commercial or industrial zones (e.g., hotels, motels, RV parks) and only if allowed and properly approved.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Roosevelt?

Roosevelt hosts earn a median $33,932/year with $151 ADR and 65% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $37,564+ per year.

See the full Roosevelt market breakdown

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

Given Roosevelt’s STR ban, there is no compliant pathway to start a short‑term rental business in residential zones. If you are committed to the Roosevelt market, consider these alternatives:

  • Long‑term rentals (30+ days) in residential zones. The code defines “guest” as a stay “not to exceed thirty (30) days” without payment or compensation; however, compensation transforms the use into an STR subject to the prohibition. Stays of 30 days or more can be lawful as standard tenancies but should be drafted carefully to avoid resembling transient lodging.
  • RV parks as a lodging model (≤30 days). Recreational vehicle parks are expressly defined for temporary stays “not to exceed thirty (30) days.” Confirm zoning and pursue any required approvals.
  • Commercial lodging (hotels/motels). Hotels and motels are defined in the code. They may be allowed in the Commercial District (C) with appropriate approvals. Explore conditional use permits where applicable and comply with building, life safety, and business licensing requirements.
  • Bed & breakfast (B&B) in commercial areas. Roosevelt does not provide a dedicated B&B definition or permitting pathway in the provided code excerpts. If a B&B model is pursued, it must fit within the Commercial District allowances, likely via conditional use permit, and must meet all life safety and business requirements.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • Zoning approval (as applicable)
    • Confirm whether your intended lodging use is allowed in the zone and whether a conditional use permit (CUP) is required. See Chapter 17.08 (Conditional Uses). CUP applications are submitted to the Planning & Zoning Board; the Board may require a public hearing at its discretion. §17.08.030, §17.08.050.
  • Building and occupancy permits
    • Building permits are required per the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted by the state. §17.01.050.
    • Occupancy permits are required per the IBC as adopted by the state. §17.01.060.
  • Site plan
    • A detailed site plan (scale and sheet size determined by the zoning administrator) must be filed with any application, prior to requesting a building permit. See §17.01.070 and Chapter 17.13 (Design Review).
  • Business license
    • Roosevelt issues business licenses, but licensing can be voided if it conflicts with zoning. §17.01.150. Confirm licensing and zoning alignment with the city before operations.
  • Taxes and sales/use tax registration
    • Lodging businesses in Utah typically must obtain a sales/use tax license and collect/remit sales tax and applicable state transient room tax. Requirements can vary by jurisdiction and operation type; verify obligations with the Utah State Tax Commission and Duchesne County.
  • Fees
    • Applicants may be charged fees for zoning changes, building permits, occupancy permits, CUPs, design review, and Planning & Zoning Board hearings. Fees are established by the City Council and must be reasonably needed to defray public costs. §17.01.160.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals in Roosevelt, Duchesne County, and Utah

  • City (Roosevelt) – zoning and general provisions
    • STRs prohibited in all residential, mobile home, and agricultural zones. §17.01.180.
    • Zoning principle: “Any use not expressly allowed by these ordinances is prohibited.” §17.01.030.
    • CUP process governs certain commercial lodging; public hearings may be required at staff or Board discretion. §17.08.010–§17.08.090.
    • Inspections and enforcement: Building inspector may enter buildings for compliance determinations; enforcement may be referred to court. §17.01.080–§17.01.090.
  • City (Roosevelt) – lodging‑related definitions relevant to investors
    • “Hotel”: a building designed for or occupied as the temporary abode of five or more individuals who are lodged for compensation, with or without meals. §17.01.170.
    • “Motel”: a building or group of buildings for the drive‑in accommodation of transient guests, comprising individual sleeping or living units. §17.01.170.
    • “Recreational vehicle park”: a separate designated area where lots are rented or held out for rent to one or more owners or users of recreational vehicles for a temporary time not to exceed thirty (30) days. §17.01.170.
    • “Guest”: any person staying no more than thirty (30) days within a dwelling unit without payment or compensation to the owners, tenants, or full‑time inhabitants. §17.01.170.
  • County (Duchesne County)
    • The provided code excerpts do not contain county‑level STR rules. County regulations may apply outside city limits or for specific unincorporated areas. Investors should verify county zoning and permitting for any parcels beyond city limits.
  • State (Utah)
    • No state‑level short‑term rental “license” is identified in the provided code. State law may impose transient room taxes and sales/use tax collection and reporting for lodging operations. Operators should confirm state tax obligations and any local tax add‑ons with the Utah State Tax Commission and county/city tax administrators.

Contact information

  • City of Roosevelt – Planning & Zoning
    • Physical address: Roosevelt City Offices, 102 N 100 E, Roosevelt, UT 84066
    • Phone: (435) 722‑5000
    • Website: rooseveltcityut.gov
  • City of Roosevelt – City Recorder (for permits, licenses, records)
    • Physical address: Roosevelt City Offices, 102 N 100 E, Roosevelt, UT 84066
    • Phone: (435) 722‑5000
  • Duchesne County – Treasurer/Collector (for tax questions)
  • Utah State Tax Commission
    • Phone: (801) 297‑2200 or (800) 662‑4335
    • Website: tax.utah.gov

Key source pages

Practical investor takeaway

  • Roosevelt bans STRs in residential, mobile home, and agricultural zones. Do not plan to operate short‑term rentals in these areas.
  • If you pursue lodging in Roosevelt, target commercial zones and prepare to navigate the Conditional Use Permit process, secure building and occupancy permits, and meet business licensing and tax obligations.
  • Confirm whether RV parks, hotels, or motels are viable on your chosen parcel by engaging early with the Planning & Zoning Board and the building department, and verify all tax and health requirements with the state and county.

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Roosevelt

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
6/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Roosevelt Market Analysis

Photos of Roosevelt

Overview of Roosevelt

Roosevelt is a small city in Duchesne County in northeastern Utah, situated in the broad, semi-arid Uinta Basin. With a population of approximately 7,000, it functions as the unofficial commercial hub of the basin, a region historically tied to ranching, the Ute Indian Tribe, and more recently to oil and gas development. The town has a working, small-town Western character rather than a tourist-polished feel, and it serves as a practical base for travelers exploring the surrounding wild country, including the High Uinta Mountains to the north and the dinosaur country along the Utah-Colorado border. The nearest major city is Salt Lake City, roughly 150 miles to the northwest along US-40, while Provo lies about 100 miles to the west-southwest and Vernal, the other basin town, is around 35 miles to the east.

One of the region's marquee draws is Dinosaur National Monument, which straddles the Utah-Colorado line about 70 miles northeast of Roosevelt near Jensen. The monument is famous for its Quarry Visitor Center, where a wall of more than 1,500 dinosaur bones is exposed in the sandstone, as well as for its deep river canyons along the Green and Yampa rivers. It is roughly a 75-minute to 90-minute drive from Roosevelt, and it draws families, paleontologists, and river runners throughout the warmer months.

To the west, Starvation State Park sits about a 20-minute drive from Roosevelt and offers a reservoir popular for boating, walleye and trout fishing, and camping on the red-sandstone benches above the water. It is one of the most-visited reservoirs in the Uinta Basin and a common stop for road-trippers looping between central Utah and the Dinosaur Diamond.

Just north of town, the Uinta Mountains rise sharply from the basin floor, and Roosevelt is a common jumping-off point for visitors heading into the High Uintas Wilderness for hiking, backpacking, and high-country fishing. The crest of the range, which includes Kings Peak, the highest point in Utah, can be reached in roughly two to three hours by car via roads out of Duchesne and the Mirror Lake Highway.

Roosevelt makes a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because of this combination: a quiet, affordable small town with reliable services, set within an hour or two of some of Utah's most distinctive natural attractions. Visitors who stay here can spend a day among dinosaur bones, a weekend fishing a reservoir, and another hiking alpine trails, all while returning each evening to a town that feels genuinely local rather than crowded with tourists.

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