Pinedale, Wyoming Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Pinedale, WY

Short-term rentals are allowed in Pinedale, Wyoming, but are heavily regulated. The Town of Pinedale passed Ordinance 682 in Spring 2021, creating Article XLI of Chapter 475 in the Municipal Code regarding Short-Term Rental properties, which went into enforcement on October 1, 2021. This ordinance establishes specific regulations for various zoning districts within Town limits and requires compliance with inspection, permitting, and operational standards. Properties that do not meet the criteria stipulated in Ordinance 682 must cease operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pinedale?

Pinedale hosts earn a median $22,547/year with $163 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,502+ per year.

See the full Pinedale market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Pinedale

Step 1: Determine Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding, you must verify that your property is located in a zoning district that permits short-term rentals. STRs are allowed in specific zones, and the allowable activities vary by district.

Step 2: Complete Required Inspections and Documentation

All STR properties must undergo a safety inspection and meet specific requirements before receiving permit approval.

Step 3: Submit Application and Fees

Complete the official Short-Term Rental Permit Application and submit it along with required documentation and fees to the Town of Pinedale Planning & Zoning Department.

Step 4: Display Permit Information

Once approved, you must display your permit number or an image of the permit when posting advertisements or descriptions of your STR on any website.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Municipal Requirements (Town of Pinedale)

Required Documentation:

Completed Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Property safety inspection completion
Proof of insurance
Proof of Department of Revenue (DOR) registration (if self-advertising)
Proof of notification to neighbors (required for zones A, R-S, R-1, R-2, and R-2A)
Application fee payment

Types of Permits:

Owner-Hosted STR Permit
Owner Non-Hosted STR Permit (owner must live within 30 miles of property)

Permit Fees:

Application fee (amount varies - contact town for current fee schedule)

Zoning Districts Where STRs Are Permitted:

Agricultural (A)
Commercial (C-1, C-2)
Residential (R-S, R-1, R-2, R-2A)

County Requirements (Sublette County)

Additional Permits May Be Required:

Conditional Use Permit from Sublette County Planning and Zoning Commission
Approval by Board of County Commissioners
Compliance with Chapter 14 of the 2023 Draft Zoning & Development Regulations

State Requirements (Wyoming)

Tax Obligations:

4% lodging tax on all bookings (collected and remitted by hosts)
State tax registration through Wyoming Department of Revenue

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Town of Pinedale Municipal Code (Article XLI)

Operational Requirements:

STRs must comply with all applicable zoning district regulations
Property managers must be identified (self or other)
All advertising must include permit number or permit image
Safety inspections must be completed prior to occupancy
Neighbor notification required for residential zones (A, R-S, R-1, R-2, R-2A)

Structure Types Permitted:

Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached (Guest House)
Single Family Dwelling, Detached
Single Family Dwelling, Attached (Duplex)
Townhouse
Other (specific approval required)

Hosting Requirements:

Hosted: Owner lives on premises during rental periods
Non-Hosted: Owner must live within 30 miles of property and be available to respond to issues in reasonable time

Insurance Requirements:

Commercial insurance mandates as specified in ordinance

Occupancy and Density:

Regulations established to minimize adverse effects from high turnover rates
Specific occupancy rates determined by zoning district

Sublette County Regulations

Conditional Use Permit Process:

Application to Planning and Zoning Commission
Public hearing process
Final approval by Board of County Commissioners
Fee: $500 (for conditional use permits in general)

County Zoning Compliance:

Must comply with county zoning and development regulations
Chapter 14 specifically addresses Short-Term Rentals

Wyoming State Regulations

Lodging Tax:

4% tax on all short-term rental bookings
Must be collected and remitted by property owners
Supports local tourism efforts

Department of Revenue Registration:

Required for self-advertising properties
State tax registration mandatory

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Town of Pinedale Planning & Zoning Department

Physical Address: Town Hall 205 Entertainment Lane P.O. Box 709 Pinedale, WY 82941

Phone: (307) 367-4136 Fax: (307) 367-2578 Email: paz@townofpinedale.us

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

General Town Information: Phone: (307) 367-4136 Email: info@townofpinedale.us

Sublette County Planning & Zoning

Physical Address: P.O. Box 250 21 South Tyler Ave. Pinedale, WY 82941

Phone: (307) 367-4372

Wyoming Department of Revenue

Website: Revenue.wyo.gov Phone: (307) 777-7961

Source Links and References

Town of Pinedale Official Documents

Sublette County Documents

News and Background Information

Helpful Resources

Important Notes for Investors

Compliance Deadline: As of October 1, 2021, all existing STRs were required to comply with Ordinance 682 or cease operations.
Zoning Verification: Always verify zoning compliance before purchasing property for STR use, as restrictions vary significantly by district.
Enforcement: The Town works with external contract agencies to enforce STR regulations, and non-compliance can result in fines and operational shutdowns.
Market Considerations: Pinedale experiences strong seasonal tourism demand, particularly during summer months for outdoor recreation and winter months for snow sports.
Neighborhood Impact: The ordinance was specifically designed to balance STR revenue generation with maintaining residential neighborhood character, which should guide investment strategies.

Next step

Found a property in Pinedale?

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 Pinedale

Pinedale is a small high-country town in western Wyoming that serves as the county seat of Sublette County. With a population of approximately 2,000, it sits at about 7,175 feet of elevation along the upper Green River and retains a working Western character shaped by ranching, outfitters, and seasonal tourism. The town is best known as a year-round gateway to the Wind River Range and the surrounding Bridger-Teton National Forest, and it lies roughly 230 miles northeast of Salt Lake City, Utah, the nearest major metropolitan area.

The Museum of the Mountain Man, located in downtown Pinedale, interprets the fur-trade era of the 1820s and 1830s, when the nearby Green River valley hosted the annual Rendezvous gatherings that drew trappers, traders, and Native peoples from across the region. It remains one of the most visited cultural stops in the area and an easy walk from any in-town lodging.

Just a few miles north of town, Fremont Lake is the largest natural lake in Wyoming, stretching roughly 12 miles long and ringed by pine-covered slopes and snowcapped peaks. Visitors come for trout fishing, kayaking, sailing, and lakeside camping, with public boat ramps and picnic areas scattered along its shoreline.

To the east of Pinedale, the Wind River Range rises sharply from the valley floor, holding some of the most rugged alpine terrain in the Rockies, including Gannett Peak, the highest summit in Wyoming. Within and around the range, the adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest offers hundreds of miles of hiking and horseback trails, high-country lakes, and the well-known Green River Lakes at the range's northern end.

A little farther afield, Grand Teton National Park sits roughly 80 miles to the north, accessible via a scenic drive through the town of Jackson and generally taking about two hours. Many travelers pair a stay in Pinedale with day trips into the park, which adds another strong seasonal draw to the area.

Taken together, Pinedale offers short-term rental owners a base that combines authentic small-town Western atmosphere with access to some of the most striking mountain landscapes in the American West, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts, history-minded visitors, and travelers heading toward the Tetons through much of the year.