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Short-Term Rental Registration Grace Period Ends in Decatur

The grace period for short-term rental owners to register their properties with the City of Decatur ended July 1, 2026.

Owners and operators of short-term rental properties inside the Decatur city limits must now register their properties with the city to remain in compliance with Decatur’s short-term rental ordinance. The city continues to accept applications, but properties operating without approval may now be subject to enforcement under the ordinance.

The City Council approved the ordinance earlier this year to create clear standards for short-term rentals in Decatur. Registration opened April 1, 2026, giving property owners three months to review the requirements, submit applications, and bring existing short-term rentals into compliance before the grace period ended.

“This ordinance gives property owners a clear path to operate legally, but it also gives the city a better way to manage short-term rentals in our neighborhoods,” Planning Director Chad Bowman said. “Now that the grace period has ended, we want owners who have not registered to take the next step and complete the process.”

The ordinance applies to properties rented for short-term stays, including homes, apartments, condos, and similar residential units offered through online platforms or other rental services.

Short-term rentals have become part of the modern travel economy, especially for visitors attending tournaments, festivals, work assignments, family gatherings, and other events. City officials said the ordinance allows eligible short-term rentals to operate in Decatur while giving the city a better way to track where those properties are located and how they fit within existing neighborhoods.

Under the ordinance, Decatur has a limit of 150 permitted short-term rentals citywide. The ordinance also includes density rules that limit how many short-term rentals may operate in close proximity, with variance requests reviewed by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

“This is about balance,” Bowman said. “Short-term rentals can serve visitors and property owners, but they also operate in neighborhoods where people live every day. Registration helps us create a fair process for owners while giving residents confidence that standards are in place.”

Registration is only one part of the ordinance. Short-term rental properties also must meet city requirements for inspections, parking, local contact information, and complaint review.

Local owners or agents for short-term rental properties must live within 50 miles of the property so they can respond within one hour if issues arise. Overnight vehicles may not exceed the number of approved off-street parking spaces, and on-street parking requires approval through the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Short-term rentals also are subject to inspection. Properties may lose their permit if they receive three verified complaints under the ordinance.

“Each property still has to meet the standards approved by the City Council,” Bowman said. “That includes where the property is located, how parking is handled, how quickly someone can respond to a problem, and whether the property continues to operate responsibly after it is approved.”

Applications are reviewed by the Planning Department in the order they are received and deemed complete. Incomplete applications are not considered received until all required information has been submitted.

Most completed applications are expected to be processed within seven to 10 business days. Processing times may vary depending on the number of applications under review, the completeness of each application, and whether city staff needs additional information from the applicant.

City officials encourage property owners to review the ordinance and application requirements before submitting. Doing so can help avoid delays and give staff the information needed to review the request.

The registration program also helps the city respond to questions from residents, property owners, and visitors. With a formal process in place, city staff can better review complaints, verify approved properties, and help property owners understand their responsibilities.

“The goal is not to make the process difficult,” Bowman said. “The goal is to make sure short-term rentals operate under clear, consistent rules that protect the character of our neighborhoods and give property owners a defined process to follow.”

Property owners who continue to operate a short-term rental without city approval may be fined up to $500 per day under the ordinance.

Short-term rental registration information, requirements, and the application portal are available online at
https://portal.deckard.com/al-morgan-city_of_decatur-str-portal/.

For questions about short-term rental registration, contact the Decatur Planning Department at (256) 341-4720.