Rawlins, Wyoming Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Rawlins, Wyoming. However, it's important to note that the City of Rawlins does not appear to have specific, comprehensive short-term rental regulations in its municipal code. Instead, short-term rentals are governed under existing zoning provisions and business regulations, with the closest related use being "Bed & Breakfast" establishments as defined in the zoning code.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Rawlins?

Rawlins hosts earn a median $10,325/year with $92 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $15,133+ per year.

See the full Rawlins market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Rawlins

Step 1: Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding, you must verify that your property is zoned appropriately for short-term rental operations. Based on the Rawlins Municipal Code Title 19, the following zoning districts exist:

R-A zoning: Ranching and agriculture
R zoning: Residential development
C-1 zoning: Commercial city center
C-2 zoning: Commercial transitional
I zoning: Industrial
I-A zoning: Intensive agricultural
HRO zoning: Historic residential overlay

For residential short-term rentals, you'll typically need to operate in R zoning districts. If your property is in a different zone, you may need to apply for a special use permit or variance.

Step 2: Business License and Permits

While specific STR permits aren't mentioned in the provided content, short-term rental operations likely require:

General Business License - Contact Rawlins City Hall for requirements
Certificate of Occupancy - May be required depending on the use type
Fire Safety Inspection - Particularly important if renting to multiple guests

Step 3: Property Standards

Ensure your property meets all applicable building codes and safety requirements for the type of accommodation you're providing.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the Rawlins Municipal Code, the following may be required:

Documentation Requirements:

Completed zoning compliance verification
Site plan showing property boundaries and structure details
Floor plans indicating sleeping arrangements
Proof of property ownership or legal right to operate
Business registration with the city
Certificate of occupancy (if applicable)

Permits and Licenses:

Business License - Required through Community Development Department
Special Use Permit - May be needed depending on zoning district
Certificate of Occupancy - Chapter 19.72 of municipal code
Fire Safety Inspection - May be required before operations

Guidelines:

Adherence to residential zoning requirements
Compliance with off-street parking regulations (Chapter 19.44)
Respect for neighborhood character and residential use standards
Temporary occupancy limitations as specified in Chapter 19.04

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Rawlins)

The Rawlins Municipal Code does not contain explicit short-term rental regulations. However, the following relevant provisions apply:

Bed & Breakfast Definition (Section 19.08.047):

Maximum of five (5) guest units within a single-family dwelling
Breakfast service required for compensation
Single-family dwelling structure maintained

Residential Zoning Compliance:

Must conform to primary residential use requirements (Section 19.08.597)
Residential uses should occupy more than 51% of time and space within the unit
Nonconforming use provisions apply (Chapter 19.52)

Parking Requirements:

Off-street parking must meet requirements in Chapter 19.44
Adequate parking for guests must be provided on-site

County-Level Regulations (Carbon County)

The provided content does not include specific Carbon County short-term rental regulations. However, similar to Hanna's approach in Carbon County (as mentioned in the Hanna article), the county may have minimal restrictions on short-term rentals.

State-Level Regulations (Wyoming)

The provided content does not contain Wyoming state-level short-term rental regulations. Investors should consult Wyoming state statutes for any additional requirements.

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Rawlins Community Development Department

Primary Contact:

Phone: (307) 328-4500 (General city number - verify specific department)
Email: Contact through city website
Website: www.rawlinswy.gov
Physical Address: 521 W. Cedar Street, Rawlins, WY 82301

Planning & Zoning Commission:

Meets regularly to review applications
Zoning officer designated by City Manager
Applications processed through Community Development Department

Additional Contacts:

Carbon County: (307) 328-5600
Rawlins Fire Department: (307) 328-4510
Building Inspection: Contact Community Development Department

Important Notes for Investors

Regulatory Gap: The lack of specific STR regulations means Rawlins is currently a permissive market, but this could change as the city develops ordinances to address short-term rentals.
Zoning Verification: Always confirm zoning compliance before purchasing or developing a property for short-term rental use.
Neighborhood Relations: Even without specific regulations, maintaining good relationships with neighbors and adhering to quiet hours and parking rules is crucial.
Insurance: Ensure adequate insurance coverage for commercial short-term rental operations.
Tax Obligations: Consult with a tax professional regarding business tax obligations and potential hotel/lodging taxes.

Links to Source Pages

Rawlins Municipal Code Title 19 - Zoning - Primary regulatory document
Hanna Council Discusses Short-Term Rental Ordinance - Context for Carbon County approach
City of Rawlins Official Website - Primary contact and permit information

Disclaimer: This guide is based solely on the provided content. For current regulations and permit requirements, always contact the City of Rawlins Community Development Department directly, as regulations may have changed since this analysis.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Rawlins

Rawlins sits in south-central Wyoming as the county seat of Carbon County, a high-desert town of roughly 8,000 residents that serves as an essential waypoint along Interstate 80 between Cheyenne, about 175 miles to the east, and the Utah line. Travelers crossing the Continental Divide pass through this stretch of open range, sagebrush, and red-rock country, and Rawlins has long been known for its Old West heritage, its ties to the Union Pacific Railroad, and its role as a base for visitors exploring the surrounding high plains, reservoirs, and mountain terrain.

The most prominent cultural landmark in town is the Wyoming Frontier Prison, a striking red-sandstone facility that housed inmates from 1901 to 1981 and now operates as a museum. Guided tours take visitors through cellblocks, the historic gas chamber, and exhibits on frontier-era criminal justice, and the site sits just minutes from the I-80 exits in town. The historic downtown along Front Street complements the prison with its older commercial architecture and the Carbon County Museum, which preserves regional artifacts tied to the railroad, the cattle industry, and the area's mining past.

About 45 minutes northeast of Rawlins, Seminoe State Park wraps around a large reservoir on the North Platte River, offering boating, trout fishing, sandy swimming beaches, and a striking backdrop of the Sweetwater Rocks and the Seminoe Mountains. The park is one of the larger bodies of water in southern Wyoming and draws visitors year-round for its quiet, wide-open feel, with campgrounds and day-use areas that are popular with anglers, windsurfers, and road-trippers.

A short drive east on I-80 leads to the small town of Saratoga, roughly 40 miles from Rawlins, where the natural Saratoga Hot Springs pool sits along the North Platte River and the surrounding North Platte Valley is known for fly fishing, rafting, and the adjacent Medicine Bow National Forest. To the southwest, Rock Springs lies about 90 miles away and provides a launching point for the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Wyoming-Utah border, a major regional destination for boating, houseboating, and red-rock scenery.

Rawlins appeals to short-term rental owners because it sits at the crossroads of major east-west travel and is surrounded by a varied set of outdoor draws. With steady traffic from cross-country road trippers, hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts heading to the reservoirs, hot springs, and forests of southern Wyoming, the town offers a practical and characterful base for travelers seeking a less-visited corner of the American West.

Rawlins, Wyoming

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Rawlins, Wyoming