City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Dauphin Island, AL
How Dauphin Island regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- STR-specific ordinance (Ordinance 105) in force
- Three short-term rental overlay districts (STROD1/2/3) with minimum-stay rules
- Annual rental/business license required per property
- Mandatory tri-annual safety inspection by certified professional
- Whole-home / absentee STR remains permitted islandwide — no cap, no primary-residence rule
- Pending zoning amendment could restrict rentals in certain areas (not yet in force)
Based on: Town of Dauphin Island Ordinance No. 105 (Short-Term Rental ordinance; STR overlay districts, implemented Sept 2022)
Summary of the rule
All property owners engaging in rental activities within town limits must obtain an annual Rental/Business License for each rental property (whether managed by owner or agent); 2026 fee $135 for gross receipts under $50,000, due by January 31, 2026.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 14, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Dauphin Island · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
Owners in Dauphin Island
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.