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Tooele, UT

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STR Regulations for Tooele, Utah

Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Tooele, UT? Short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Tooele County and Tooele City. Under Utah’s state law, a “short‑term rental” is defined as a residential unit, or any portion of a residential unit, offered for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive days. There is no statewide ban on STRs. Municipalities and counties may regulate aspects like safety, parking, and licensing, but they may not prohibit an owner from listing or offering an STR on a short‑term rental website. That said, property‑level restrictions can apply: deed restrictions, homeowner association (HOA) rules, and building/fire/health code compliance can limit or prevent STR operations even where STRs are otherwise lawful. The governing statute is Utah Code § 10‑8‑85.4 and § 17‑50‑338 (ordinances may not restrict speech on STR websites).

  • State definition (UT): fewer than 30 consecutive days (Utah Code §§ 10‑8‑85.4, 17‑50‑338).
  • Listing prohibition ban: Municipalities/counties may not prohibit the act of listing or offering a short‑term rental on an STR website (Utah Code §§ 10‑8‑85.4, 17‑50‑338).
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Municipalities/counties may limit STR use of internal ADUs (e.g., owner‑occupancy or 30‑day minimums) and may require permits and lien authority for violations (HB 82, 2021, §§ 10‑9a‑530 and 17‑27a‑526).

How to start a short‑term rental business in Tooele/Tooele County

  • Confirm zoning and land use

    • Verify zoning for the property allows short‑term rental use. Most residential zones in Tooele County and Tooele City allow STRs as a residential use, but always confirm with the local planning/zoning office.
    • If you plan to create or operate an internal ADU, review Utah’s ADU statute (HB 82) and local ordinances for limits and required permits (see ADU subsection below).

  • Select a compliant property type

    • Single‑family detached homes commonly qualify; attached products may be subject to stricter HOA covenants or fire/life safety rules. Condos/townhomes often require HOA approval for STR activity.

  • Prepare the unit to code

    • Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, egress bedroom windows where applicable, handrails/guardrails, address signage, and occupancy separation doors meet the International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted/ amended by the state. Note: HB 82 limits certain physical change requirements for existing bedrooms’ egress windows if compliance would compromise structural integrity (see statutory details under State Law below).

  • Obtain required licenses/permits

    • Tooele City business license: Required for operating a lodging business in Tooele City. Contact the City License/Zoning office (see Contact Information).
    • Building/fire permits: If converting space or creating an internal ADU, obtain building permits and pass inspections per state and local codes.
    • Safety/health compliance: Comply with adopted fire, health, and building codes.

  • Register for Utah state taxes

    • Register with the Utah State Tax Commission for:
      • Sales tax (statewide rate; applicable to lodging charges, cleaning fees, and other taxable charges).
      • Transient room tax (TRT) and local TRT (if any).
    • Collect these taxes from guests and remit per filing schedule assigned by the Tax Commission.

  • Set up operations

    • Insurance: Carry property and liability coverage suitable for a commercial lodging operation (statutes do not mandate specific coverage levels).
    • HOA/deed checks: Confirm no rental prohibition or limits that would prevent STR use.
    • Guest policies: House rules, parking, occupancy limits, quiet hours, and local compliance notices (e.g., trash/recycling, snow removal).

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • Tooele City

    • Business license application for lodging/STR use.
    • Property/occupancy information (address, unit type, number of units).
    • Proof of compliance with fire, building, and health codes (as applicable).
    • Address and contact details for responsible local contact.
    • Application forms via the City License/Zoning office (see Contact Information).

  • Tooele County (if property is outside Tooele City)

    • County business license/registration (if required by county code).
    • Building/fire/health code compliance checks for STR operations.
    • Confirm any county‑specific zoning or STR rules.

  • Utah State

    • Utah State Tax Commission registration (sales tax/TRT/local TRT).
    • Regular filing (monthly/quarterly/annually as assigned), including “zero returns” if no rentals in a period.
    • Statutory compliance: Building, health, and fire codes adopted by state; see HB 82 for IRC amendments and ADU provisions.

  • Safety and habitability standards

    • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms per IRC.
    • Egress bedroom windows and occupancy separation doors per IRC and HB 82 limitations.
    • Address signage and other reasonable safety installations.

  • HOA/condo association rules

    • Review CC&Rs for rental limits, minimum lease terms, owner‑occupancy requirements, guest‑use caps, and rules affecting STRs. Under HB 82, an HOA may not prohibit an internal ADU that complies with land use/building/fire/health codes (Utah Code § 57‑8a‑209).

Specific regulations for STRs: Tooele City, Tooele County, and Utah State

  • State of Utah

    • Definition: STR = fewer than 30 consecutive days.
    • Website listing protections: Municipalities/counties may not prohibit or punish an individual solely for listing/offering a short‑term rental on an STR website.
    • Accessory Dwelling Units (internal ADUs):
      • Internal ADUs are a permitted use in residential zones (with limited local exceptions).
      • Municipalities/counties may require permits/licenses for renting an internal ADU; may prohibit STR‑style rentals (under 30 days); and may require owner‑occupancy.
      • A recorded notice may be filed when a permit/license is issued.
      • Liens up to $100/day are authorized for violations after notice and hearing.
    • Building/fire/health codes: HB 82 (2021) amends the IRC to, among other things:
      • Limit egress window retrofits in existing bedrooms where structural integrity would be compromised.
      • Clarify standards for smoke/CO alarms, egress, and occupancy separation.
    • Taxes: Sales tax and transient room tax (state and local) apply to STRs. Hosts must register with the Utah State Tax Commission and file returns per assigned cadence. Even if no rentals occur, returns may still be required.

  • Tooele County

    • No separate statewide ban; county zoning applies. Review county planning/zoning for STR policies. Many counties align with state protections and local permit requirements; confirm any county‑specific zoning, parking, or safety standards.

  • Tooele City

    • Operate in compliance with Tooele City code (business licensing, zoning, and adopted codes). Confirm whether a specific STR license or registration is required. The City License/Zoning office can confirm current requirements and forms.

Important nuances

  • HOA/deed restrictions can prevent STRs even where STRs are legally permitted by the city/county/state. Review governing documents and association rules before purchase.
  • Check transient room tax rates and any local taxes; these can change. Use the State Tax Commission resources and, if applicable, your local TRT schedule.

Contact information (authorities in charge of STRs/business licensing)

Links to source pages (as provided)

Notes and practical investor reminders

  • Local ordinance updates occur periodically; confirm current Tooele City and Tooele County requirements before investing.
  • Taxes are calculated on the guest’s total lodging bill, including cleaning and certain ancillary fees; verify taxable charges with the Utah State Tax Commission.
  • Set up calendars and reminders for state tax filing, and maintain detailed records for audits.
  • If you plan an ADU or interior changes, budget time for permitting and inspections per HB 82 and local codes.
  • Use the contact list above to verify zoning, licensing, and tax obligations before listing.

Disclaimer This guide summarizes publicly available information and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Short‑term rental laws and tax obligations change frequently; confirm all requirements with the Tooele City License/Zoning office, Tooele County Planning & Zoning, and the Utah State Tax Commission.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Tooele?

Tooele hosts earn a median $20,453/year with $129 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $30,264+ per year.

See the full Tooele market breakdown

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Tooele

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
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Photos of Tooele

Overview of Tooele

Tooele sits in the high desert of northern Utah at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains in Tooele County, with a population of roughly 32,000 residents. It functions primarily as a quiet residential community serving the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area while still holding onto its small-town Western character. Positioned about 35 miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake City, the city serves as a convenient base for visitors exploring the west side of the Wasatch Front, the Great Salt Lake, and the open landscapes of western Utah. The valley's wide skies, mountain backdrop, and proximity to some of Utah's most unusual natural features give the city a distinctive sense of place that blends suburbia with the wide-open West.

The Bonneville Salt Flats lie to the west of Tooele and rank among the most iconic landscapes in the American West. This vast, otherworldly expanse of white salt crust has drawn land speed record attempts for more than a century and remains a magnet for photographers, motorsports enthusiasts, and travelers seeking a uniquely Utah experience. The flats are roughly a 90-minute drive west of the city along Interstate 80, making them a manageable day trip from a Tooele rental.

Antelope Island State Park, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, sits northwest of Tooele and is reached by a causeway from the north end of the valley. The island offers wildlife viewing with free-roaming bison and pronghorn, several miles of hiking trails, and panoramic views across the lake toward the Wasatch Range. It is a popular destination for visitors interested in the unusual ecology of the Great Salt Lake and tends to be less crowded than many of Utah's better-known parks.

For travelers drawn to higher elevations, the Deseret Peak Wilderness rises in the Stansbury Mountains south of Tooele, with Deseret Peak topping out above 11,000 feet. The area offers alpine hiking and a sense of solitude that is hard to find in Utah's more heavily visited national parks, while still being only a short drive from the city.

Downtown Tooele retains a handful of historic buildings and a small-town main street feel, with locally owned shops and restaurants that give the community its own identity apart from the Salt Lake Valley suburbs. The area's pioneer and mining heritage, once tied to the smelters that lined the valley floor, is reflected in the older homes and civic buildings scattered through the older parts of town.

Together, these offerings make Tooele a compelling base for short-term rentals. Visitors gain a quieter, more affordable alternative to staying in Salt Lake City while remaining within reasonable driving distance of marquee destinations like the Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, and the broader Wasatch Front, all set against the striking backdrop of the Oquirrh Mountains.

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