Spirit Lake, Iowa

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Dickinson County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

State-level data: No city- or county-specific STR ordinance found. Showing Iowa statewide rules (tax, registration, and any state preemption) that apply here.
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/16/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredNot specified
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT5% state excise tax + up to 7% local hotel and motel tax + 6% state sales tax

Official Sources

revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/property-tax/iowa-hotel-and-motel-tax
Data confidence: 75%Last updated: June 16, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Spirit Lake, Iowa

Spirit Lake has no city- or county-specific short-term-rental ordinance, so Iowa statewide rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed with a permit. A lodging/occupancy tax of 5% state excise tax applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Spirit Lake, Iowa?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Spirit Lake?

Short-term rentals in Spirit Lake are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 5% state excise tax .

Where do these Spirit Lake short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Spirit Lake's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, or Iowa authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.