Regulations >
Utah >
Springdale

Want to see how Springdale compares to other top cities in Utah?  Explore all city regulations in Utah. →

C

Springdale, UT

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Springdale STR Expert
Springdale, Utah skyline

STR Regulations for Springdale, Utah

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Springdale, UT?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Springdale, UT, but with significant restrictions. Transient lodging (the technical term for STRs) is permitted only within the Transient Lodging Overlay Zone (TLO). As of 2022, Springdale implemented a moratorium on new STR applications due to housing affordability concerns and community impact issues. The town has established a highly regulated system that prioritizes existing commercial zones and limits new STR development to specific eligibility periods.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Springdale?

Springdale hosts earn a median $42,457/year with $237 ADR and 59% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $80,429+ per year.

See the full Springdale market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Springdale

Phase 1: Eligibility Assessment

  1. Verify Zoning Compliance

    • Your property must be located in either the Central Commercial (CC) or Village Commercial (VC) zone
    • Properties in residential zones (R-1, R-2, etc.) are not eligible for STR conversion
    • Use the Town's zoning map to confirm your property's current zoning designation

  2. Timing Considerations

    • TLO applications are only accepted during March 1-31 of even-numbered years (2024, 2026, 2028, etc.)
    • Plan your investment timeline accordingly, as you'll need to wait for the next application window if your timing doesn't align
    • Consider that Springdale had a moratorium on new STR applications in early 2022

  3. Pre-Application Consultation

    • Required: Meet with Community Development Department staff before applying
    • Schedule meeting by calling (435) 522-4130
    • Staff will review your specific property and provide guidance on eligibility and requirements

Phase 2: Application Process

  1. Zone Map Amendment Application

    • Apply for TLO designation during the designated March application window
    • Submit applications through the online portal: Zone Map Amendment Application
    • Note: This is a zoning change, not a simple business license

  2. Review Process

    • Applications undergo public review
    • Planning Commission and Town Council approval required
    • Approval is not guaranteed and depends on meeting all criteria

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City-Level Requirements (Springdale)

Zone Change Requirements:

  • Complete TLO application form
  • Property ownership documentation
  • Site plan showing current and proposed use
  • Building compliance documentation
  • Parking plan (critical in Springdale's limited space)
  • Community impact analysis

Business Licensing:

  • Business license through Springdale Town offices
  • Certificate of Occupancy if property changes use
  • Transient Lodging Good Neighbor Policy compliance

County-Level Requirements (Washington County)

For properties in unincorporated Washington County:

Primary Licensing:

  • Washington County Short-Term Rental License (annual renewal required)
  • Owner Occupied Primary Residential Exemption through Assessor's Office

Required Documentation:

  • Completed Short-Term Rental Business License Application
  • Proof of insurance with landlord endorsement allowing STRs
  • Site plan of property
  • Septic permit documentation
  • Current photos of dwelling
  • Health and Safety Check completion

Financial Requirements:

  • Application fee: $160.00 (includes Health and Safety Check)
  • Processing time: 10-14 business days after completed application
  • Annual license renewal fees

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Springdale Town Regulations

Zoning Restrictions:

  • STRs only permitted in TLO zone
  • Only properties already in CC or VC zones eligible for TLO application
  • No new STRs allowed in residential zones

Application Timing:

  • TLO applications accepted March 1-31 only during even-numbered years
  • Next application windows: 2024, 2026, 2028, etc.

Community Standards:

  • Must comply with Transient Lodging Good Neighbor Policy
  • Display Good Neighbor Brochure prominently in STR
  • Maintain property standards consistent with community character

Parking Requirements:

  • STRs must provide adequate parking per town standards
  • Consider Springdale's shuttle-first visitor philosophy

Washington County Regulations (Unincorporated Areas)

Owner-Occupancy Requirement:

  • STRs must be owner-occupied primary residences
  • Cannot be second homes or investment properties

Property Standards:

  • Must meet current building codes
  • Health and Safety Check required
  • Property must be residential dwelling, not commercial structure

Operational Limits:

  • Maximum 29 consecutive days occupancy
  • Annual license renewal mandatory
  • Good Neighbor Brochure display requirement

State of Utah Regulations

Transient Lodging Classification:

  • State defines transient lodging as rentals ≤ 30 days
  • Includes various accommodation types (hotels, STRs, B&Bs, etc.)

Tax Implications:

  • Transient room tax may apply
  • Consult with tax professional for specific obligations

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Springdale Town - Community Development Department

Primary Contacts:

  • Tom Dansie, Director of Community Development

    • Email: tdansie@springdale.utah.gov
    • Phone: 435-772-3434 Ext. 306

  • Niall Connolly, Principal Planner

    • Email: nconnolly@springdale.utah.gov
    • Phone: 435-772-3434 Ext. 310

  • Kyndal Sagers, Zoning Administrator

    • Email: ksagers@springdale.utah.gov
    • Phone: 435-772-3434 Ext. 302

General Contact:

  • Phone: (435) 522-4130 (for pre-application meetings)
  • Address: 118 Lion Boulevard, P.O. Box 187, Springdale, UT 84767
  • Hours: M-F 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MST (excluding state/federal holidays)

Pre-Application Meeting Scheduling:

  • Call (435) 522-4130 to schedule consultation

Washington County - Community Development

Primary Contact:

County Administration:

  • Phone: (435) 301-7000
  • Address: 111 East Tabernacle St., St. George, UT 84770

Source Links and Additional Resources

Official Springdale Town Resources

Washington County Resources

News and Context

Additional Springdale Resources

Investment Considerations and Warnings

Critical Success Factors

  1. Timing is Everything: Plan for the March application windows in even-numbered years
  2. Zoning is Paramount: Only CC and VC zone properties are eligible
  3. Community Impact: Springdale has demonstrated willingness to restrict STRs to preserve community character
  4. Competition: Limited supply means high barriers to entry but potentially strong returns for approved properties

Risk Factors

  1. Moratorium History: Springdale has previously halted new STR applications
  2. Housing Pressure: Local workforce housing concerns may lead to additional restrictions
  3. Seasonal Nature: Tourism-dependent market with peak and off-peak seasons
  4. Regulatory Evolution: Rules may change as community needs evolve

Alternative Strategies

  • Consider Washington County unincorporated areas for immediate STR opportunities
  • Explore traditional long-term rental investments in Springdale
  • Investigate hotel or lodge partnerships within the TLO zone

This regulatory environment requires careful planning, significant upfront investment in both time and money, and ongoing compliance management. Prospective investors should factor in extended timelines for approvals and the possibility of regulatory changes affecting profitability.

Next step

Found a property in Springdale?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Springdale

Free brief

Get the free Springdale STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Springdale, Utah in one email.

Springdale

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
9/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Springdale Market Analysis

Photos of Springdale

Overview of Springdale

Springdale is a small town in Washington County, in the southwestern corner of Utah, with a permanent population of only a few hundred residents, though its day-to-day population swells dramatically with visitors. It sits at the mouth of Zion Canyon and functions almost entirely as a service community for one of the most visited national parks in the American Southwest. The town has a quiet, outdoorsy character, with locally owned lodges, cafés, galleries, and outfitters clustered along its single main corridor, all framed by the towering cliffs of the park. Springdale lies about 40 miles northeast of St. George, Utah, the nearest sizable city, and roughly 160 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The dominant draw, and the reason most travelers pass through Springdale in the first place, is Zion National Park, whose main south entrance sits essentially at the edge of town. The park's paved Zion Canyon Scenic Drive leads directly into a narrow sandstone canyon carved by the Virgin River, where visitors can access trailheads for the famous riverside hike known as the Narrows, the exposed ridge route of Angels Landing, and the lower Emerald Pools walks. The park's visitor center, shuttle system, and main lodge are all within a few minutes' drive of nearly every address in Springdale, making the town the de facto base camp for park exploration.

A short drive north of town leads to the less-visited Kolob Canyons section of Zion, reached in roughly 30 to 40 minutes via a scenic byway off Interstate 15. This quieter corner of the park offers towering red-rock cliffs, a paved scenic drive, and a handful of trails that see only a fraction of the crowds found in the main canyon, giving travelers a more solitary Zion experience.

To the northeast, Bryce Canyon National Park is about 85 miles away, typically a 1.5 to 2 hour drive through the high country of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Its amphitheaters of hoodoos and pink-tinged limestone formations offer a dramatic contrast to Zion's deep canyon walls and make a natural pairing for travelers based in Springdale who want to see two distinct landscapes in one trip.

For those willing to drive a bit farther, Cedar Breaks National Monument sits roughly 60 to 70 miles north near Brian Head, at an elevation above 10,000 feet. It functions as a miniature Bryce Canyon, with a single overlook road tracing the rim of a vast amphitheater filled with eroded red rock, and it is particularly striking in summer when Springdale itself can be quite warm.

Springdale is a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because of this concentration of scenery within a half-day's drive. Visitors can spend mornings on Zion's shuttle, afternoons floating the Virgin River, and evenings back in town for dinner, all without ever needing a long commute. That walkability, combined with the steady year-round flow of national park tourism, gives the town a reliable rhythm of demand that short-term rental owners can plan around with confidence.

Want to know if a property in Springdale is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.