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Laramie

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Laramie, WY

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STR Regulations for Laramie, Wyoming

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Laramie, WY?

YES - Short-term rentals are currently allowed in Laramie, Wyoming with no specific city zoning regulations governing short-term rentals as of 2025. However, this regulatory landscape is evolving, and investors should be prepared for potential future regulations.

Key Points:

  • STRs are classified as "transient lodging" and specifically exempt from Laramie's Rental Housing Code (LMC 8.80.020)
  • No dedicated zoning regulations for STRs have been codified
  • All STR units must comply with existing zoning regulations for residential units
  • The city council is actively investigating potential regulations, with discussions ongoing

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Laramie?

Laramie hosts earn a median $24,243/year with $159 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,955+ per year.

See the full Laramie market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Laramie

Step 1: Verify Zoning Compliance

  • Confirm that your property is in a zone that permits residential rental activities
  • Check with the Planning Division at (307) 721-5271 to verify zoning compliance
  • Properties must conform to all standard zoning requirements for residential uses

Step 2: Obtain Business License

Step 3: Ensure Safety Compliance

While no specific STR safety inspections are mandated, ensure compliance with:

  • Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and common area
  • Carbon monoxide detectors on levels with fuel-burning appliances
  • Fire extinguishers easily accessible to guests
  • Emergency evacuation plans posted in visible locations

Step 4: Register for Tax Collection

  • Register with Wyoming Department of Revenue for lodging tax collection
  • Collect and remit applicable taxes (see tax section below)

Step 5: Establish Local Management

  • Designate a local contact person available 24/7
  • Provide contact information to adjacent property owners
  • Implement systems to respond to complaints within reasonable timeframes

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business License

  • Required: Yes
  • Issuing Authority: City of Laramie, City Clerk's Office
  • Fee: $20/year or $40/two years per dwelling unit
  • Application Process: Online application with habitability checklist
  • Renewal: Annual or biennial

Habitability Checklist

  • Required: Yes (for rental housing registration)
  • Content: Basic habitability standards verification
  • Submission: With business license application

Certificate of Occupancy

  • Required: Yes (demonstrating compliance with building codes)
  • Issuing Authority: Building Safety Division
  • Process: Standard building code compliance verification

Tax Registration

  • Required: Yes
  • Authority: Wyoming Department of Revenue
  • Process: Register for lodging tax collection

Insurance Requirements

  • Recommended: Comprehensive liability coverage ($1 million minimum)
  • Required: Proof of adequate insurance for business license application

Specific Regulations for STRs

City of Laramie Regulations

Current Status: No specific STR zoning regulations exist

Exempt Status:

  • STRs classified as "transient lodging" under LMC 8.80.020
  • Specifically exempt from Laramie Rental Housing Code
  • "Transient lodging" defined as occupancy for less than 30 consecutive days

Compliance Requirements:

  • Must comply with all other zoning regulations
  • Units must meet household requirements
  • Accessory buildings must comply with zoning standards
  • Must comply with nuisance ordinances (parking, noise, safety)

Operational Limitations:

  • No specific occupancy limits mandated by city
  • No specific parking requirements mandated by city
  • Noise ordinances apply (10 PM - 7 AM quiet hours)
  • Safety standards apply through building codes

Albany County Regulations

Current Status: County has not adopted specific STR regulations

County Position:

  • County has not adopted building codes
  • Zoning authority exists but no specific STR regulations enacted
  • Active discussion and research ongoing regarding potential regulations

Key Considerations:

  • County recognizes impacts of STRs on housing supply
  • Enforcement of STRs considered difficult and time-consuming
  • Planning department studying regulatory options

Wyoming State Regulations

Statewide Framework:

  • Minimal statewide regulation of STRs
  • State grants authority to municipalities and counties for local regulation
  • State sales tax applies (4% on lodging)
  • Local lodging taxes may apply

Tax Obligations:

  • Wyoming State Sales Tax: 4% on all rental income
  • Albany County Lodging Tax: 4% additional
  • City of Laramie Accommodation Tax: 2% municipal tax
  • Taxes must be collected from guests and remitted quarterly

Contact Information

City of Laramie

Primary Contact: City Clerk's Office

Planning Division

Code Administration

  • Phone: (307) 721-5271
  • For: Safety inspections and compliance issues

Online Applications:

Albany County

Planning Department

Wyoming State

Department of Revenue

Sources

  1. Laramie City Council STR Discussion - www.cityoflaramie.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/18900?fileID=26811
  2. Laramie Rental Housing Code - www.cityoflaramie.org/1207/Rental-Housing-Code
  3. Laramie Municipal Code 8.80 - library.municode.com/wy/laramie/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8HESA_CH8.80LAREHOCO
  4. Albany County STR Memorandum - www.albanycountywy.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5987
  5. Wyoming STR Regulations Overview - www.checkmaterentals.com/blog/wyoming-short-term-rental-regulations

Investment Outlook

Current Market Conditions:

  • Estimated 150 STR properties within city limits
  • 89% are entire-unit rentals
  • Average daily rate of $136.03 for Albany County
  • Year-round occupancy rate between 30-40%

Regulatory Risk:

  • City actively considering implementing STR regulations
  • Nearby Wyoming cities (Cody, Pinedale) have implemented comprehensive regulations
  • Monitoring of state and local developments recommended

Recommendation: While current regulations are permissive, investors should prepare for potential future regulations by:

  • Implementing professional management standards
  • Maintaining comprehensive insurance
  • Establishing strong community relationships
  • Staying informed through city council meetings and planning department communications

The regulatory environment remains fluid, but current conditions provide opportunity for compliant operators who anticipate future regulatory developments.

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Laramie

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 Laramie Market Analysis

Photos of Laramie

Overview of Laramie

Laramie is a small city in southeastern Wyoming and serves as the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming. With a population of approximately 33,000, it has the laid-back, college-town feel characteristic of a Western university community, anchored by the flagship campus of the University of Wyoming. Set in the high Laramie Valley at roughly 7,165 feet of elevation, the city serves as a natural gateway to the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Snowy Range Mountains, drawing outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Laramie sits along Interstate 80 about 50 miles west of Cheyenne and roughly 150 miles north of Denver, making it a convenient stopover for travelers crossing the Rockies.

A short drive west of town, the Snowy Range rises sharply to more than 12,000 feet and offers some of the most accessible alpine scenery in the Rockies. Visitors come for hiking, fishing, and scenic drives in summer, and for skiing and snowshoeing at the small but popular Snowy Range Ski Area in winter. The drive from Laramie to the heart of the range takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on conditions.

Closer to the city, the Vedauwoo area, located roughly 20 minutes east along Interstate 80, features a striking collection of weathered granite rock formations in the Medicine Bow National Forest. It is a well-known destination for rock climbing, camping, and short nature walks, and the distinctive tilted slabs have made it a landmark for travelers crossing the Laramie Range.

Within the city itself, the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site offers a tangible connection to the Old West. Built in 1872, the prison held some of the era's most notorious figures, including Butch Cassidy, and today functions as a museum with preserved cell blocks, period exhibits, and an old homestead on the grounds. It sits just a few minutes from downtown and is one of Laramie's most-visited cultural sites.

Downtown Laramie adds to the city's character with a walkable historic district of brick storefronts, local restaurants, and small galleries clustered along Grand Avenue and Second Street. The university contributes an active arts and music scene, and the surrounding open landscapes keep the skies wide and the pace relaxed.

For short-term rental investors, Laramie offers an appealing mix of steady, year-round demand drivers. Fall football weekends and University of Wyoming events bring predictable spikes in visitation, while the Snowy Range and Vedauwoo provide strong appeal for outdoor-oriented travelers during both summer and ski seasons. Its position along a major cross-country interstate and within easy reach of both Cheyenne and Denver adds a layer of road-trip and passing-traffic demand that smaller mountain communities often lack, all in a setting with the kind of wide-open Western character many visitors are specifically seeking.

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